Latest news with #SimonBlake
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Stonewall charity status under threat unless it respects trans ruling
Stonewall will be referred to the Charity Commission on Monday unless it withdraws 'wrong and dangerous' advice on the meaning of last month's Supreme Court ruling on women's rights. Sex Matters, the women's rights group, say the controversial LGBT charity has encouraged 'organisations to act unlawfully' by suggesting they delay any changes to female facilities such as toilets and changing rooms. On Thursday, Stonewall accused the Football Association of rushing into banning trans women, who are biologically male, from the female game. And they said the Supreme Court's historic judgment – that the definition of a woman was based on biological sex – had not yet become law. In a letter to Simon Blake, the chief executive of Stonewall, Sex Matters said the ruling meant it was law straight away, and said it would refer Stonewall to the Charity Commission unless the advice was withdrawn. Maya Forstater, the chief executive of Sex Matters, wrote: 'Stonewall remains an influential institution, which has the legitimacy of charitable status. 'It should not be encouraging employers, service providers, sports governing bodies or individuals to ignore or flout the law.' On Thursday, the FA decided to follow the Scottish FA in restricting the membership of women's teams to biological women. Stonewall published a statement saying: 'The FA and Scottish FA's decision to ban trans women from women's football has been made too soon, before the implications of the Supreme Court's ruling have been worked through by lawyers and politicians or become law. 'This is widely acknowledged to be an incredibly complicated ruling and its wide-ranging impact is still being worked through by the legal fraternity. 'All organisations should be waiting to see how and in what way statutory guidance is changed, before making any changes to their policies.' Ms Forstater warned in her letter that Sex Matters would write to the Charity Commission on Monday unless Stonewall retracted the statement 'by means of a public statement and an email to current and past members of the Stonewall Diversity Champions and other related schemes'. She went on: 'This advice is wrong and dangerous. The Equality Act has been law since 2010, and the Sex Discrimination Act before that since 1975. 'Before the Supreme Court judgment, there was some uncertainty about how it interacts with the Gender Recognition Act 2004 in relation to the protected characteristics of sex and sexual orientation. This uncertainty has now been resolved by the Supreme Court. 'The judgment is comprehensive, but is not at all complicated… 'Employers, service providers, charities and other duty-bearers under the Act have an ongoing obligation to comply with all relevant laws. There is no justification for waiting, and no ambiguity about what must be done. 'No further commentary or guidance is required, and by telling organisations to wait before acting, Stonewall is encouraging them to act unlawfully.' Ms Forstater claimed that Stonewall's actions were in direct contravention of its charitable objects, which are to promote human rights, promote equality and diversity, and promote the 'sound administration of law'. 'By telling organisations that the Supreme Court's ruling is not law and that they should wait for changes to the statutory guidance before complying, Stonewall is acting irresponsibly and in direct contravention of its charitable objects,' she said. 'Please act promptly to undo the damage caused by your irresponsible statement, insofar as is possible, by retracting it forthwith and publicising your retraction on all the same channels used to promote it. 'Please also replace the retracted statement with one that is clear and accurate, accompanied by a recommendation that all organisations act swiftly to come into compliance.' Martina Navratilova, the nine-times Wimbledon singles champion, said: 'Stonewall is stonewalling the UK supreme court. Good to know they know the law so well.' A spokesman for Stonewall said: 'We are taking time, and legal advice, to fully understand the implications of Supreme Court ruling and the EHRC's interim update and get 'clarity' on the next steps including the timeline of the consultation and on the parliamentary process for a new statutory code of practice. 'We are highlighting that organisations don't need to take any action yet, or change their policies, because no new statutory guidance has been issued. The widespread implications of the ruling are still being considered and there will be a consultation process and a subsequent parliamentary process before any changes to statutory guidance are issued. 'Once, and if, there is new statutory guidance, Stonewall will review its own materials to ensure they reflect the latest legal developments. Stonewall's guidance has always reflected the law.' Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Telegraph
02-05-2025
- Politics
- Telegraph
Stonewall charity status under threat unless it respects trans ruling
Stonewall will be referred to the Charity Commission on Monday unless it withdraws 'wrong and dangerous' advice on the meaning of last month's Supreme Court ruling on women's rights. Sex Matters, the women's rights group, say the controversial LGBT charity has encouraged 'organisations to act unlawfully' by suggesting they delay any changes to female facilities such as toilets and changing rooms. On Thursday, Stonewall accused the Football Association of rushing into banning trans women, who are biologically male, from the female game. And they said the Supreme Court's historic judgment – that the definition of a woman was based on biological sex – had not yet become law. In a letter to Simon Blake, the chief executive of Stonewall, Sex Matters said the ruling meant it was law straight away, and said it would refer Stonewall to the Charity Commission unless the advice was withdrawn. Maya Forstater, the chief executive of Sex Matters, wrote: 'Stonewall remains an influential institution, which has the legitimacy of charitable status. 'It should not be encouraging employers, service providers, sports governing bodies or individuals to ignore or flout the law.' On Thursday, the FA decided to follow the Scottish FA in restricting the membership of women's teams to biological women. Stonewall published a statement saying: 'The FA and Scottish FA's decision to ban trans women from women's football has been made too soon, before the implications of the Supreme Court's ruling have been worked through by lawyers and politicians or become law. 'This is widely acknowledged to be an incredibly complicated ruling and its wide-ranging impact is still being worked through by the legal fraternity. 'All organisations should be waiting to see how and in what way statutory guidance is changed, before making any changes to their policies.' Ms Forstater warned in her letter that Sex Matters would write to the Charity Commission on Monday unless Stonewall retracted the statement 'by means of a public statement and an email to current and past members of the Stonewall Diversity Champions and other related schemes'. She went on: 'This advice is wrong and dangerous. The Equality Act has been law since 2010, and the Sex Discrimination Act before that since 1975. 'Before the Supreme Court judgment, there was some uncertainty about how it interacts with the Gender Recognition Act 2004 in relation to the protected characteristics of sex and sexual orientation. This uncertainty has now been resolved by the Supreme Court. 'The judgment is comprehensive, but is not at all complicated… 'Employers, service providers, charities and other duty-bearers under the Act have an ongoing obligation to comply with all relevant laws. There is no justification for waiting, and no ambiguity about what must be done. 'No further commentary or guidance is required, and by telling organisations to wait before acting, Stonewall is encouraging them to act unlawfully.' Stonewall 'contravening charitable objects' Ms Forstater claimed that Stonewall's actions were in direct contravention of its charitable objects, which are to promote human rights, promote equality and diversity, and promote the 'sound administration of law'. 'By telling organisations that the Supreme Court's ruling is not law and that they should wait for changes to the statutory guidance before complying, Stonewall is acting irresponsibly and in direct contravention of its charitable objects,' she said. 'Please act promptly to undo the damage caused by your irresponsible statement, insofar as is possible, by retracting it forthwith and publicising your retraction on all the same channels used to promote it. 'Please also replace the retracted statement with one that is clear and accurate, accompanied by a recommendation that all organisations act swiftly to come into compliance.' Martina Navratilova, the nine-times Wimbledon singles champion, said: 'Stonewall is stonewalling the UK supreme court. Good to know they know the law so well.' Charity 'taking legal advice' A spokesman for Stonewall said: 'We are taking time, and legal advice, to fully understand the implications of Supreme Court ruling and the EHRC's interim update and get 'clarity' on the next steps including the timeline of the consultation and on the parliamentary process for a new statutory code of practice. 'We are highlighting that organisations don't need to take any action yet, or change their policies, because no new statutory guidance has been issued. The widespread implications of the ruling are still being considered and there will be a consultation process and a subsequent parliamentary process before any changes to statutory guidance are issued. 'Once, and if, there is new statutory guidance, Stonewall will review its own materials to ensure they reflect the latest legal developments. Stonewall's guidance has always reflected the law.'
The Guardian
28-03-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
Stonewall will fight to ban all LGBT conversion practices, says new chief
The new head of Stonewall has pledged to fight for a ban on conversion practices that includes 'every member of the lesbian, gay, bi and trans community', as he said that the progress of Labour's bill may be exploited by those pursuing global attacks on LGBTQ+ rights. With the UK government expected to publish draft legislation this spring, Simon Blake said: 'It's really important that a conversion practices bill covers all practices designed to try to change or correct somebody's sexual or gender identity.' Interviewed at length for the first time since he took the post, Blake said the bill represented a reset between government, Stonewall and the wider LGBTQ+ sector, after Labour committed in its manifesto to a 'full trans-inclusive ban' on conversion practices. This follows an increasingly toxic engagement with the previous Tory administration, in which Liz Truss, while equalities minister, urged all government departments to quit the charity's workplace inclusion programme and plans for a similar ban fell apart amid moves to exclude trans people and concerns about the introduction of a loophole of 'informed consent'. Stonewall would have to 'really work' around the parliamentary process to ensure initial commitments were not lost, said Blake, who expects opponents will play down the prevalence of conversion practices. The charity is releasing new research on Friday that finds that 17% of LGBTQ+ Britons have experienced physical assault, 10% have experienced 'exorcism' practices and 12% experienced 'corrective rape' or sexual assault, all in an attempt to change their sexuality or gender identity. While some of these are already illegal, campaigners hope that drawing them together under a blanket ban on conversion practices would strengthen recourse for victims as well as acting as a deterrent. Critics of an inclusive ban suggest it could prevent parents having exploratory conversations with their gender-questioning children, while others – including Hilary Cass, the doctor who reviewed gender identity services for under-18s – have said it may impact on medical professionals' capacity to advocate for a more cautious approach to transition. But Blake said evidence from other countries that had already legislated for a ban did not support these anxieties. 'Of course parents will ask their children exploratory questions. What we are talking about here is conversion practices, which are saying 'you are bad, you are wrong, you need to change'. 'I think we have to be really, really clear about the distinction between healthcare for young people – or anyone – and conversion practices and not conflate those issues.' Blake suggested the bill might become a focus for opponents of progressive reform more widely. 'This is a flagship policy at a time when we know that LGBT rights are being attacked on a global basis, with Trump, with propaganda legislation [in Europe], and those who oppose LGBT rights will use the opportunity to spread misinformation and perpetuate divisive arguments.' Regardless of pushback, Blake insisted the ban was 'only one piece of the puzzle'. 'We need to see the UK take its place back at the top of the global leaderboard for LGBTQ+ rights and a government committed to this.' Echoing the comments of the screenwriter Russell T Davies, who said recently it felt more dangerous to be a gay man in the UK since Trump's election, Blake agreed: 'People are scared. It's easy to think it's happening in the US, in Italy, Spain, Georgia but we're also hearing organisations and people in the UK who are saying it feels different, it feels less welcoming.' Blake takes over as CEO after a turbulent period in Stonewall's history, during which it attracted heavy censure for its stance on trans rights which critics both inside and outside the LGBT community believed was trying to shut down debate. One of its 14 co-founders, Matthew Parris, accused it of being 'cornered into an extremist stance'. Sign up to First Edition Our morning email breaks down the key stories of the day, telling you what's happening and why it matters after newsletter promotion 'It's absolutely right that Stonewall became trans inclusive in 2015,' said Blake, drawing a distinction between the 'public narrative' and 'practical reality' that followed. 'Whilst the world has become more polarised and divisive and there was a lot of talking about Stonewall and trans issues, we were carrying on doing work for all members of the LGBT community.' He added that there was merit in Stonewall amplifying trans-led organisations and working in partnership rather than 'doing everything'. Blake, who acknowledged there has been 'huge division' over the issue, said that Stonewall had always navigated 'incredibly well' through different views, with equal marriage as a recent example. But some critics of Stonewall have pinpointed what they felt was the organisation's own unwillingness to engage in respectful exchanges, be that with its earlier 'no debate' policy on trans rights or previous boss Nancy Kelley comparing gender critical beliefs to antisemitism. Blake said: 'I have heard that view, but looking ahead I'm clear we have only made progress and will only make progress through endless conversations with people who may share none or some of the same views. 'The problem with the current conversation about some elements of the LGBTQ+ rights agenda is it is about winning or losing, and that isn't helpful,' he said. 'I want conversations where we are willing to listen to each other, seek to understand each other's views and find ways for everyone to live side by side with dignity and respect.'
The Guardian
29-01-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
One in 10 young adults in UK identify as lesbian, gay or bisexual
Around one in 10 young adults in the UK identify as lesbian, gay or bisexual, a proportion of the population which has doubled in the past five years, according to figures from the Office of National Statistics. Just over 10% of 16 to 24-year-olds identified as LGB in 2023 – the most recent window polled – up from 4.4% in 2018, according to data from the Annual Population Survey. The largest rise came among young women, with 9.2% of women aged 16-24 identifying as bisexual, compared with 5.9% of males. Simon Blake, the chief executive of LGBTQ+ charity Stonewall said the data should be 'a wake-up call to organisations and governments who are rolling back on their commitments to LGBTQ+ rights and inclusion'. 'Lesbian, gay and bisexual people are a growing part of UK society, with more LGB young people than ever before,' he said. 'The more than one in 10 of 16-24 year-olds identifying as LGB will be a crucial part of our workplaces, politics and lives. They will have colleagues, friends and families who support them, and they will deserve – and demand – equal rights and opportunities.' Across the population as a whole an estimated 2.1 million people (3.8%) identified as LGB in 2023, up from 1.2m (2.2%) in 2018; 93.6% of the UK population identified as heterosexual, down from 94.6% in 2018. The data suggests that the proportion of UK adults identifying as LGB varies sharply in different age groups: while one in 10 under-25s say they are LGB, the figure is closer to one in 100 for the over 65s. The data shows that 6.3% of 25-34 year-olds identify as LGB, compared to 2.9% of 35-49 year-olds and 2.4% of 50-64 year-olds. London had the highest proportion of adults identifying as LGB in 2023 (5.2%) followed by south-west England (4.4%), while Northern Ireland had the lowest (2.2%) with the West Midlands the second lowest (2.8%). The ONS data also shows that same-sex marriages, which were introduced in 2014 in the UK, have overtaken civil partnerships, available to same-sex couples since 2005 and to heterosexual couples since 2018, as the most common type of legal partnership for people identifying as gay or lesbian. The proportion of heterosexual people in opposite-sex marriages has fallen from 49.7% in 2018 to 46.2% in 2023. The ONS said the increase in the number of people identifying as LGB could be 'attributed to more people being more open to identifying their own sexual orientation as being LGB, together with changing societal attitudes meaning a greater acceptance of different sexual orientations'. Results from the separate British Social Attitudes Survey in 2023 'support the view that society is becoming more welcoming towards diversity in sexual identity – a view supported by the recognition of same-sex relationships in law through same-sex marriage and same-sex civil partnership legislation,' the ONS added. In its 40th year of mapping Britain's cultural and political landscape, the (BSA) survey found 'a near revolution' in the liberalisation of attitudes over the last four decades, including towards same-sex relationships. In 1983 half of respondents said they were 'always wrong', compared with 9% in 2022.
Yahoo
29-01-2025
- General
- Yahoo
One in 10 young adults identify as lesbian, gay or bisexual
About one in 10 young adults in the UK are likely to identify as lesbian, gay or bisexual (LGB), with the proportion more than doubling in five years, new figures suggest. Some 10.4% of 16 to 24-year-olds identified as LGB in 2023, up from 4.4% in 2018. The rise has been driven by a 'large increase' in the proportion of young people identifying as bisexual, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). We've released our latest Sexual orientation in the UK in 2023, using data from the Annual Population Survey (APS). As APS estimates have been affected by increased volatility, estimates of change should be treated with additional caution. ➡️ — Office for National Statistics (ONS) (@ONS) January 29, 2025 Some 7.5% of people aged 16-24 identified as bisexual in 2023, up from 2.8% in 2018. The figure is even higher among females aged 16-24, with 9.2% identifying as bisexual, compared with 5.9% of males. The estimates have been published by the ONS using data from the Annual Population Survey, which collects information on sexual identity from the household population aged 16 and over in the UK. The survey suggests the proportion of all adults identifying as LGB stood at 3.8% in 2023, up from 2.2% in 2018. Some 2.0% identified as gay or lesbian, up from 1.4%, while 1.8% identified as bisexual, up from 0.9%. A total of 93.6% identified as heterosexual or straight, down from 94.6% in 2018. In addition, 0.7% identified as 'other', up from 0.6%, while 1.8% said they did not know or refused to answer, down from 2.5%. 'The increase in LGB responses may be attributed to more people being more open to identifying their own sexual orientation as being LGB, together with changing societal attitudes meaning a greater acceptance of different sexual orientations', the ONS said. Recent results from the separate British Social Attitudes Survey 'support the view that society is becoming more welcoming towards diversity in sexual identity – a view supported by the recognition of same-sex relationships in law through same-sex marriage and same-sex civil partnership legislation,' the ONS added. LGBTQ+ charity Stonewall said the figures are a 'timely reminder that lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) people are a growing part of UK society, with more LGB young people than ever before'. Simon Blake, its chief executive, said: 'The more than one in 10 of 16-24 year-olds identifying as LGB will be a crucial part of our workplaces, politics and lives. 'They will have colleagues, friends and families who support them, and they will deserve – and demand – equal rights and opportunities. 'This data should be a wake up call to organisations and governments who are rolling back on their commitments to LGBTQ+ rights and inclusion. 'With these changing demographics, regressive policies and ideals won't stand the test of time, and those who want to ensure a more secure and prosperous future must stand firm in their commitment to equality and inclusion for all; despite the politics of the moment.'
