Stonewall to campaign for transgender equality

Stonewall, the lesbian, gay and bisexual equality charity, is to start campaigning for transgender rights.

Ruth Hunt, Stonewall’s chief executive, announced the broadening of the group’s remit today, following a review of its relations with the trans community. It had previously been criticised for marginalising and even denigrating trans people.

“We recognise the impact of mistakes we have made in the past. We are aware that we have missed opportunities to open up this conversation far sooner. And we apologise to trans people for the harm that we have caused,” Ms Hunt said yesterday.

“This change marks a significant moment in Stonewall’s history. As a community we can achieve much more by standing together.”

As part of its new direction, Stonewall will appoint advisers including a trans expert board member.

Stonewall was founded 25 years ago, taking its name from the anti-homophobic Stonewall riots in New York’s Greenwich Village.