Latest news with #IndiaWilloughby
Telegraph
02-06-2025
- General
- Telegraph
Spa that banned trans women is forced to apologise
Transgender rights activists have forced a spa to apologise for banning biological men from a steam room session. Beach Box Spa in Brighton was accused of giving in to the 'woke mob' after it said sorry for excluding trans women from the female-only session last Thursday. Owners had originally opted to exclude transgender women from the session to allow female customers to feel safe while relaxing in their swimwear. They later performed a U-turn after facing criticism from transgender activists online. In a message on their website, they said the decision had been 'wrong' and 'goes against everything we believe in'. They also said they 'believe trans women are women and trans men are men.' The firm is also now holding a new 'queer sauna session' from Thursday and said its staff may require further 'LGBTQ+ inclusion training.' Customers accused the spa of ignoring the law in light of the Supreme Court's ruling that transgender women are not legally women. One said: 'This self-flagellation over supporting women's right to safety, privacy and dignity is sickening.' Another customer pointed out that the business had opted to 'alienate and offend women' rather than take into account the court ruling. The row began after an Instagram follower asked if a transgender woman could attend, only to be told: 'This is for cis women.' Cis, or cisgender, is a term used to describe someone whose gender identity aligns with their biological sex. India Willoughby, a transgender newsreader and vocal critic of JK Rowling, accused the spa of 'excluding trans women from women's spaces'. One critic said: 'I absolutely loved your saunas but your decision to exclude trans women is incredibly disappointing. 'Your business operates in a queer city. I won't be using a space that excludes my trans siblings. Please do better than this.' 'Against everything we believe in' The full apology from Beach Box said: 'We got it wrong and we are so incredibly sorry. 'At Beach Box, we've always aimed to create an inclusive, welcoming space for everyone-regardless of gender, identity, background or lived experience. 'But this week, we made a mistake that caused hurt and disappointment, particularly within our trans communities. 'We want to say, with sincerity – we are truly sorry. 'We now understand that promoting or hosting a cis-only event goes against everything we believe in. 'It was wrong, and we take full responsibility for the harm this has caused. One of our comments on Instagram added to that harm, and we deeply regret it. 'We want Beach Box to continue to be a space where everyone feels welcome and we'll keep doing the work to make sure it feels that way.'
Spectator
28-05-2025
- Politics
- Spectator
The next front in the gender wars
April's Supreme Court judgment ought to have been the final nail in the coffin for transgender ideology. The belief that you can pick your gender, like you would a hat in the morning, seemed to have ended. The highest court unanimously confirmed that for the purposes of the Equality Act, sex is biological – immutable, material and not up for ideological reinterpretation. Yet if the past decade has taught us anything, it is that the gender industry doesn't give up; it adapts. Numerous organisations, many taxpayer-funded, now exist for the sole purpose of pushing back against any resistance to trans orthodoxy. Defeat is merely a fundraising opportunity. The semantic contortions have already begun. India Willoughby, a biological male who has fathered a child, has tweeted: 'UK Supreme Court rules butterflies are biological caterpillars and frogs are biological tadpoles. It means butterflies can no longer fly – and frogs are banned from sitting on leaves. Butterflies and frogs say they will ignore the ruling.' If you can't make any sense of this point, join the club. Then there's Dr Helen Webberley, founder of GenderGP, a 'clinic' that is registered in Singapore in an attempt to circumvent UK laws about prescribing children puberty blockers and hormones. She recently told GB News that while the Supreme Court has confirmed 'the literal interpretation of the Equality Act is that 'woman' is biological sex… they haven't said what biological sex is'. Activists almost succeeded in redefining 'woman'. Now they have lost that fight, on they move to the definition of 'biological'. Predictably, a legal counteroffensive is already under way. The tax-barrister-turned-Twitter-pugilist Jolyon Maugham KC, best known for killing a fox while wearing a kimono, is raising funds to 'stop the UK's attack on trans people'.
Time of India
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Who is India Willoughby, the newsreader at loggerheads with J.K. Rowling?
(Image: Instagram) India Willoughby is a popular TV personality in the UK. Born on September 2, 1965, in London and raised in Carlisle, Cumbria, India has carved a unique path as a journalist, broadcaster, and reality TV personality. She holds the distinction of being the UK's first transgender national television newsreader and the first trans co-host of the all-women talk show, Loose Women. In March 2024, India became embroiled in a public dispute with author J.K. Rowling. Rowling referred to India as a "man" on social media, prompting India to file a police complaint, alleging that Rowling's comments constituted a hate crime under the Equality Act and the Gender Recognition Act. Rowling defended her statements, citing her gender-critical views and freedom of speech. Northumbria Police reviewed the complaint but concluded that it did not meet the criminal threshold. "For J.K. Rowling to deliberately misgender me knowing who I am is grossly offensive. It is a hate crime. I don't know if (the police report is) going to be treated as a hate crime, malicious communications, but it's a cut-and-dried offense, as far as I'm concerned," she had told the media. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trade Bitcoin & Ethereum – No Wallet Needed! IC Markets Start Now Undo Meanwhile, after this Rowling had posted on X about having a "clearly winnable case against India Willoughby for defamation" and added that "India's obsessive targeting of me over the past few years may meet the legal threshold for harassment. " What is India Willoughby's real name? India Willoughby was born as Jonathan Willoughby. Her journey from Jonathan to India is a testament to her courage and determination to live authentically. Before her transition, Jonathan Willoughby was a familiar face on ITV's Border News, covering major stories in Carlisle, Cumbria. India's journey in journalism began in the late 1980s. She worked as a TV reporter at ITV Border, covering news in the North East and Cumbria. In 2010, she left ITV Border and, for a period, led a double life: living as a woman in Newcastle during the week while presenting as male in Carlisle on weekends. This period of personal conflict culminated in her decision to transition. In 2015, she underwent gender reassignment surgery , aligning her physical self with her gender identity . Post-transition, India's career reached new heights. Her appearance on Loose Women in 2017 marked another milestone, as she became the show's first trans co-host. India's candid discussions about her experiences brought visibility to transgender issues and opened up conversations in mainstream media . In 2018, India participated in Celebrity Big Brother, a season themed "Year of the Woman" to commemorate the centenary of women's suffrage in the UK. Her time on the show was marked by frank discussions about gender identity. Despite being the first contestant evicted, India's appearance further solidified her status as a prominent transgender figure in British media . India has been an outspoken advocate for transgender rights, using her platform to address issues of representation and equality. However, her visibility has also made her a target for online abuse. In 2023, she reported receiving a death threat from the neo-Nazi group National Action, leading to police protection under the Counter Terrorism Command . India is a mother to one son and has been open about her journey, including undergoing facial feminization surgery in order to align her appearance with her gender identity .
The Sun
01-05-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
Common sense has finally returned so why don't we call trans male athletes what they really are… cheats
THE referee's blown his whistle and red cards have finally been issued. It's official: Trans women are to be kicked out of women's football. 4 It took more than a decade, thousands of determined campaigners and even a ruling by the highest court in the land. But at long last, women footballer s are going to face a level playing field by not being forced to play against MEN. Yesterday, England's Football Association performed a screeching U-turn on its existing policy and announced a total ban on transgender women playing in women's football from June 1. The cricket and netball authorities quickly followed suit, having no doubt received precisely the same legal advice as the FA (and the Scottish FA). It follows last month's Supreme Court ruling that the term 'woman' in the Equality Act refers only to a biological woman so, women's sport is only for women, and not for trans-identifying men as well. The usual suspects were, of course, up in arms. Trans-identified man and online activist India Willoughby took some rare time off from insulting women on social media to falsely claim that trans people are now 'banned from football' and that trans people are being 'stigmatised and demonised' in what he called a 'full-blown trans apartheid'. This FA 'ban' is in fact nothing of the sort. Trans people are NOT banned from playing football or, indeed, any other sport. They will simply have to compete in the correct sex category — the one that matches the body they were born with, not the body they wished they had. Just like everybody else. There's also nothing to stop trans people from competing in mixed-sex or open categories. Lia Thomas booed at podium of the NCAA Swimming Championships Again, just like everybody else. And they are also free to set up their own trans category, if they so wish. Finally, we are seeing a return to common sense, biological reality and, yes, fair play. But why did it take so long? The Olympics first approved trans-identified men competing in women's sports events way back in 2003, and UK sports bodies opened most women's competitions to trans athletes in 2013. Yet the reason for having men's and women's categories for sports competitions — from the Olympics or the Premier League down to Sunday-morning park runs — has never gone away. Men are taller, bigger and stronger than women. Their muscles are larger, they have stronger bone density, lung capacity is greater and, most crucially of all, they have far higher levels of testosterone. It doesn't matter what the sport is, men will always have a distinct and measurable physical advantage over women, and no hormone treatment, surgery or possession of Gender Recognition Certificates will ever change that. Unfair advantage Not that most men choosing to compete in women's sport have bothered to get surgery or a GRC. On the contrary, female footballers have been forced to risk serious injury by facing fully intact, 6ft tall, testosterone-fuelled males on the pitch. To add insult to the chance of injury, women athletes have been required to share their changing rooms and showers. Not only did young American women have to race against Lia Thomas — a US college swimmer who had a mediocre sports career as William Thomas before identifying as a trans woman to win title after title in female races — they were also forced to endure a naked 6ft 1in Thomas (and his uncovered genitals) in their changing room every day, too. This has long been a laughable state of affairs, but it has never been funny. In fact, it is deadly serious, with women athletes wanting to speak out facing accusations of 'transphobia' and threats to force them out of their own sport. Yet women's sport does not exist for the egos of men who are simply not good enough to make the grade among their male competitors. It's called 'women's sport' not 'second-rate men's sport'. It was ironic that just at the point when women's football was finally starting to get the recognition and funding it deserved, trans-identifying men decided to (quite literally) muscle their way into the sport. Why don't we just call these trans male athletes what they really are: CHEATS. Allowing men to compete in women's sport is no different from endorsing testosterone-doped East German athletes at the Olympics. It's an unfair advantage, pure and simple. This has been pointed out for years by brave women campaigners such as tennis star Martina Navratilova and former Olympic swimmer Sharron Davies, as well as unsung British heroines like Fiona McAnena at Sex Matters and Nicola Williams at Fair Play For Women. Even one of the world's most famous trans women, Caitlyn Jenner, who, as Bruce Jenner was the 1976 men's Olympic decathlon gold medallist, has backed the ban on men in women's sports, saying that trans women are 'taking valuable opportunities' away from women athletes and causing them 'physical harm'. A number of world and UK sports governing bodies, including swimming, cycling, athletics and golf, have felt the backlash and reversed their rules on trans athletes in recent years. The Olympics may have to follow suit after US President Donald Trump signed an executive order that prevents transgender women from competing in female categories of sports, including the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028. With the FA ruling, it's now clear the world of sport has finally woken up to the reality of biological sex and the importance of fairness on and off the pitch. It's been a long time coming but women players have now well and truly hit the back of the net. The game is finally up for trans men competing in women's sport. ARMED COPS NOT CRIMINALS ONE night in September 2022, two men left their homes to do their jobs. Both carried guns for their work. One was a violent criminal, the other was a police officer. 4 But you'd be hard pushed to know which is which these days after the police officer, Sgt Martyn Blake, shot dead criminal Chris Kaba, right, as he tried to use his car to ram police to escape arrest. Despite firing only one bullet, in a bid to protect the lives of his police colleagues, Sgt Blake was charged with murder and hauled through the courts. A jury rightly found Blake not guilty last year (without ever being told about Kaba's career as a gun-toting gangster) but now the officer faces a charge of gross misconduct by the Independent Office for Police Conduct which could result in him getting the sack. Why would any police officer agree to carry a firearm today when they know that every split-second decision could leave them facing the sack or years behind bars? It's bad enough that Sgt Blake was ever charged with a crime – and publicly named by the judge, resulting in a £20,000 bounty on his head – but now he faces losing his job simply for doing his job. Armed police in the UK rarely open fire and, when they do, they must be given the benefit of the doubt and not treated like the criminals they are trying to protect us from. Why would any police officer agree to carry a firearm today when they know that every split-second decision could leave them facing the sack or years behind bars? Sgt Blake doesn't deserve any of this. The only thing he deserves is a bravery medal for his heroism in keeping our streets safe from criminals like Kaba.
Daily Mail
01-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
India Willoughby and Stonewall FC lead critics denouncing 'unjustified and unfair' English FA ruling on trans players' ban from women's football
Critics including India Willoughby and Stonewall FC have denounced the English FA's ruling to ban trans players from women's football as 'unjustified and unfair'. The FA said it had updated its policy in light of last month's Supreme Court ruling that the words 'woman' and 'sex' in the Equality Act refer to a biological woman and biological sex. Now FA has gone further and barred transgender women from the women's game from June 1 after acting on legal advice. The move has sparked fury from trans activists, who say the move sends a 'harmful message' and 'risks legitimising discrimination'. Transgender news reader India Willoughby blasted the action as 'full-blown trans apartheid' and 'absolutely insane'. She said: 'This is crazy, absolutely insane. Trans people haven't done anything yet we're being stigmatized and demonized in such a horrible way. This is full-blown trans apartheid.' She added: 'How are trans people now expected to lead a normal life in society? This football ban is unfair - and totally unjustified.' Stonewall FC, an LGBTQ+ orientated football team started in 1991 and based in East London, said they were 'deeply saddened' by the decision. When they were founded, the London FA reportedly said: 'We don't pay any attention to a team's race, creed, religion or private life – so long as they can play football.' Issuing a statement, they said: 'The policy change sends a harmful message to trans players across the country - players who simply want to be part of the game they love, in the gender they live and identify as. 'We recognise the pain and frustration this ruling willl cause, and we stand in unwavering solidarity with our trans and non-binary teammates, opponents, friends and supporters.' The sports team added: 'Trans rights are human rights. That includes the ight to play, to belong and to thrive in sport. 'While we understand the complexities the FA cites, we believe any policy change that denies people access to the pitch is a step backwards.' And TRUK United FC - who describe themselves as 'a trans Femme team and trans masc & non binary team with a trans referee' - said they were 'deeply disappointed and outraged' by the FA's news. They said: 'Everyone at TRUK United is deeply disappointed and outraged by the decision announced today by the Football Association (FA) to ban Transgender Women from participating in women's football from the age of 13.' They continued: 'Being allowed to play football has had an overwhelmingly positive impact on the physical and mental health of many trans women. TRUK United say they will 'continue to champion football for everyone', and are going ahead with their training tonight despite the ruling TRUK United FC, in a social media post, called on the body to change their profile picture 'We know of numerous individuals who have found not only joy in the game but also friendship, community and purpose through their involvement in their clubs. 'To have that taken away so suddenly, without meaningful consultation or justification, is devastating. 'We believe today's announcement is a knee-jerk reaction by the FA-one that lacks transparency, empathy and foresight. It fails to consider the real impact on individuals, on teams, and on the inclusive spirit of football itself.' TRUK United say they will 'continue to champion football for everyone', and are going ahead with their training tonight despite the ruling. The governing body's transgender inclusion policy had been updated just prior to the Supreme Court ruling in London on April 16, and continued to allow transgender women to play in women's football provided they reduced testosterone levels. Those rule changes gave the FA ultimate discretion on permitting a trans woman to play, with consideration given to safety and fairness issues. But now the body has been attacked for its slogan 'For All' - as campaigners brand it a 'cruel irony'. TRUK United FC, in a social media post, called on the body to change their profile picture. They blasted: 'Whoever made this decision should be ashamed of themselves.' Women's football outlet The Women's Game further condemned the body, saying: 'In a stunning show of cowardice and cruelty, the English FA has announced trans women will be barred from soccer at any FA level' Chelsea FC's official LGBTQ+ community group took to social media to say: 'We at Chelsea Pride condemn the Football Association's ban on transgender women in women's football. 'The cruel irony of this decision against their own "football for all" slogan exposes a fundamental hypocrisy. How can football truly be "for all" while explicitly excluding transgender women?' Women's football outlet The Women's Game further condemned the body, saying: 'In a stunning show of cowardice and cruelty, the English FA has announced trans women will be barred from soccer at any FA level. 'The FA has made it clear: "For all" no longer includes everyone.' Full FA statement on transgender players 'As the governing body of the national sport, our role is to make football accessible to as many people as possible, operating within the law and international football policy defined by Uefa and Fifa. 'Our current policy, which allows transgender women to participate in the women's game, was based on this principle and supported by expert legal advice. 'This is a complex subject, and our position has always been that if there was a material change in law, science, or the operation of the policy in grassroots football then we would review it and change it if necessary. 'The Supreme Court's ruling on the 16 April means that we will be changing our policy. Transgender women will no longer be able to play in women's football in England, and this policy will be implemented from 1 June 2025. 'We understand that this will be difficult for people who simply want to play the game they love in the gender by which they identify, and we are contacting the registered transgender women currently playing to explain the changes and how they can continue to stay involved in the game.' An FA spokesperson said: 'We understand that this will be difficult for people who simply want to play the game they love in the gender by which they identify. 'We are contacting the registered transgender women currently playing to explain the changes and how they can continue to stay involved in the game.' The FA - which is the governing body for football in England, Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man - had said earlier this week that it was 'carefully reviewing' its policy. The Scottish Football Association has also now updated its policy to reflect that only biological females can play in competitive female football from the start of the 2025-26 season. The Supreme Court ruling clarified some of the terms used in the Equality Act. Within that, the court ruled that Section 195 of the Act, which allows the lawful exclusion of athletes from gender-affected sports based on sex, was 'plainly predicated on biological sex' rather than certificated sex. The FA added: 'As the governing body of the national sport, our role is to make football accessible to as many people as possible, operating within the law and international football policy defined by Uefa and Fifa. 'Our current policy, which allows transgender women to participate in the women's game, was based on this principle and supported by expert legal advice. 'This is a complex subject, and our position has always been that if there was a material change in law, science, or the operation of the policy in grassroots football then we would review it and change it if necessary. 'The Supreme Court's ruling on the 16 April means that we will be changing our policy. Transgender women will no longer be able to play in women's football in England, and this policy will be implemented from 1 June 2025.' Only a small number of transgender women - around 20 - have been able to play in the grassroots game this season. Among them is Natalie Washington, a transgender woman who has played grassroots football in Hampshire for eight years, who said the decisions means she will probably have to end her career. She told ITV News: 'I play for this team because it feels like it's somewhere I feel understood, safe and included. 'I have played in men's teams where I did not feel that way. I do not think I would still be playing football now if it were not for being understood and seen. 'I'm in a semi-rural area, there are no inclusive teams, specific LGBT teams or anything like that, there is only the competitive men's game and the competitive women's game, and you can only play in one. 'And if I'm not eligible in one and I'm not safe in the other, then that is probably it for me in terms of playing.' Former Olympic swimmer Sharron Davies, who has led calls from athletes demanding that women's sports are for women only, tweeted today: 'Remember this is removing men from the women's game. How was this ever allowed?' Fiona McAnena, director of the campaign group Sex Matters, said: 'This is welcome but long overdue. The FA has had ample evidence of the harms to women and girls caused by its nonsensical policy of letting men who identify as women play in women's teams. 'The requirement to lower their testosterone tells you that everyone knew they were not women. 'Thankfully, the UK Supreme Court has now confirmed this, saying it is lawful to exclude 'all men, including trans women, regardless of their GRC [Gender Recognition Certificate] status'. 'Every other sporting body now needs to re-establish a genuine women's category, and this shameful period in history will finally be brought to an end.' Speaking about the FA's decision, Sky Sports News senior reporter Rob Dorsett said: 'They admit this is a complex subject, and it's been made clear to me from the people I've been speaking to that they have taken extensive legal advice on this. 'The impression I get is the FA are trying to do the right thing, but it's such a controversial topic, it's difficult and they will be criticised whatever they do in this area.' Former FA chairman Lord Triesman told The Telegraph at the time of the ruling: 'The pitiful excuses of some sports bodies, and especially the FA, have been shown to be unlawful. 'Women's sport, as in all else, is defined by biology facts. There is no room for alternative propositions and the bodies concerned must reform and comply with the law at once or certainly face constant legal challenges.' Football's world governing body Fifa has been reviewing its policy on this topic over the last several years, and has been contacted for comment on the changes made by the English and Scottish FAs. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has confirmed it is also reviewing its policy. Trans women have been banned from the top two tiers of elite women's cricket since the start of this year, but they are still permitted to compete in the women's game up to and including tier three of the domestic game and throughout recreational cricket. An ECB spokesperson said: 'Our existing regulations for transgender participation in recreational cricket remain in place. 'These aim to ensure that cricket remains an inclusive sport, while including measures to manage disparities - irrespective of someone's gender - and ensure the safety of all players. 'We are currently taking advice about any impact the Supreme Court ruling may have, and will also await updated guidance from Sport England.' Since the ruling was handed down, the Ultimate Pool Group has updated its policy to ban trans women, having also received a report that pool was a gender-affected sport. Snooker's global governing body, the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association, is also reviewing its policy. It comes after the Supreme Court declared last month that the words 'woman' and 'sex' in the Equality Act refer to a biological woman and biological sex. The ruling has been interpreted to mean that transgender women, who are biologically male but identify as women, can be excluded from women-only spaces like toilets and changing rooms. The judges said trans people are still protected from discrimination under equalities legislation, and that this interpretation of the law does not cause disadvantage to the 'potentially vulnerable group'.
