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1 June 2021

Liz Truss urges government to ‘withdraw from Stonewall’s LGBTQ employment scheme’

"All LGBTQ people should be supremely worried about the government undermining Stonewall," responded writer Juno Dawson

By Jamie Tabberer

Words: Jamie Tabberer; picture: gov.uk

Minister for Women and Equalities Liz Truss has reportedly urged all government departments to withdraw from Stonewall’s Diversity Champions Programme.

As per The Times, Truss has shared concerns from the human rights watchdog Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC), which recently withdrew from the scheme, about its value for money. 

Diversity Champions works with 850 UK organisations and, as per Stonewall’s website, is the “leading employers’ programme for ensuring workplaces are truly inclusive. […] Every one of our Diversity Champions shares our core belief in the power of a workplace that truly welcomes, respects and represents LGBTQ+ employees.”

Some 250 government departments are members of the scheme.

“Stay out of the trans war”

The news follows weeks of negative headlines in the right-wing press about Stonewall’s trans-inclusive work, and EHRC chairwoman Lady Falkner recently saying in an interview with The Times that gender-critical views are “perfectly reasonable.”

Matthew Parris, one of Stonewall’s founders, recently argued that Stonewall should “stay out of the trans war,” adding: “The organisation I helped found has lost its way since winning gay equality and is mired in an issue that isn’t its concern.”

It also follows Essex University, another member of the scheme, last month apologising after dropping two speakers accused of transphobia following advice from Stonewall. 

In an independent report, the uni claimed Stonewall had provided “misleading” and “unlawful” advice after allegedly misrepresenting the provisions of the Equality Act 2010 to include “gender identity.”

Stonewall boss Nancy Kelley has denied Stonewall gave the uni the wrong advice.

“If you want to be an ally, now’s the time to speak out”

Responding to the report about Truss, writer Juno Dawson said on Twitter yesterday: “All LGBTQ people should be supremely worried about the government undermining @stonewalluk. They are the biggest LGBTQ organisation in the UK and they are doing exactly what they’re supposed to be doing and the gov doesn’t like it.

“A reminder that Stonewall actually have very few trans staff in authority: they are mostly gay and lesbian people fighting for better conditions for all LGBTQ people.”

Journalist Owen Jones added: “The government is now declaring war on @stonewalluk, which is the main civil rights organisation for LGBTQ+ people. The anti-trans hysteria was always going to come for LGBTQ+ people as a whole, and if you want to be an ally, now’s the time to speak out.”

A rep for trans youth charity Mermaids meanwhile said: “The Government is systematically undermining the rights of all LGBTQ+ people by trying to dismantle @stonewalluk’s work to protect and empower minority lives. THIS is why ALL LGBTQ+ people need to stand together against rampant transphobia in the press and politics. We are ONE.”

Another government critic said: “If they’re coming for Stonewall, they’re coming for you next.”

“I’m comfortable with our direction”

Last week, Kelley defended Stonewall’s position on trans issues, telling the BBC: “I’m comfortable with our direction,” adding: “We don’t claim to represent everybody in the LGBTQ community. We’re pretty diverse as a community both in our views and our lives.

“So I completely accept there are some people who don’t agree with many of the different stances that we take. That doesn’t mean the work we do isn’t beneficial to those people.”

Last month, Truss promised to ban LGBTQ conversion therapy after several members of the government’s LGBT Advisory Panel quit over inaction on the issue.

Attitude has approached Stonewall and the Cabinet Office for comment.

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