The activist was furious after the LGBTQ charity’s new chair said she had ‘huge respect for JK Rowling’
Police were called to the head office of Stonewall in Central London this week after a trans rights activist called for the “public condemnation of JK Rowling” from the LGBTQ charity and its new chair.
Former Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale was announced as the new chair of Stonewall earlier this year and is set to take up her role in September. In April, she gave a high-profile interview to the The Guardian where she discussed her aspirations for the charity.
When asked by the interviewer, Ms Dugdale stated she had “huge respect for JK Rowling” and added there was “absolutely a space for her in public life”, leading to anger from some in the transgender community in light of Rowling’s gender critical views. Ms Dugdale has since apologised for her words.
On Wednesday, June 17, campaigners from Surrey Trans Action and Defund Transphobes walked into Stonewall’s head office in Clerkenwell and called on both the charity and Ms Dugdale to publicly denounce JK Rowling.
Footage of the encounter was shared on the Instagram account ‘I’m Truly Sophie’, in which a campaigner was filmed reading aloud a speech blasting Dugdale’s words in front of Stonewall staff.
The activist says: “It’s incredibly telling that a large chunk of this interview is spent talking about JK Rowling and the question of Stonewall’s commitment to trans inclusivity.
“It would have taken mere seconds to indicate disapproval of Rowling’s behaviour and reiterate Stonewall’s unwavering support of trans rights.”
The activist goes on to complain about difficulties facing the trans community while others “openly and gleefully celebrate our hardships”.
They add: “We are asking both Stonewall UK and Kezia Dugdale for a public condemnation of JK Rowling’s blatantly transphobic rhetoric and actions.
“We are calling for further assurance that Stonewall UK’s campaigns and programs going forward will continue to promote trans inclusion.”
“We will not allow Stonewall to evade accountability by hiring politicians to pander to gender critical bigots with fat pockets. It’s time for you to live up to your name and the history that started you. Sincerely, the activists of Defund Transphobes.”
The Met Police confirmed they were called to the scene, but added that the situation appeared to have “resolved itself” before officers arrived on the scene.
Stonewall and Ms Dugdale have been approached for comment.
Looking for more from MyLondon? Subscribe to our daily newsletters here for the latest and greatest updates from across London.
