Open Letter from Cis and Trans Women

A United Stand Against Anti-Trans Narratives

A campaign titled “Not In Our Name”, launched by a group of cisgender women, is pushing back against anti-trans rhetoric appearing in media and political discourse. This initiative, in collaboration with the Good Law Project, has gathered over 61,500 signatures, including support from public figures like Beverley Knight, Kate Nash, and Carla Denyer, co-leader of the UK Green Party.

Making Visible the Often-Invisible Support

Coinciding with Trans Awareness Week (November 13–19), a member of the collective—speaking anonymously to PinkNews—shared that the open letter stemmed from a noticeable absence of cis women’s voices supporting trans people in public debates. “It’s a vital perspective that’s often missing,” she stated.

She emphasized that most women do not align with transphobic views, and that this initiative is a tangible sign of solidarity. Limiting signatures to cisgender women, she explained, was a deliberate choice to highlight the support from a group often misrepresented or weaponized in discussions surrounding trans rights.

Challenging a Monopolized Narrative

According to the group’s spokesperson, certain circles—particularly gender-critical radical feminists, often labeled as TERFs—have claimed to speak on behalf of all women. These views, although prominent in mainstream media and political commentary, do not reflect the majority opinion.

“That’s not us,” she said, clearly expressing that those views are neither universal nor representative of cis women as a whole.

The collective firmly rejects the premise that supporting trans women undermines the rights of cis women. Instead, they advocate for inclusive feminism, warning that anti-trans sentiment is being weaponized to create divisions and distract from systemic issues.

Debunking Misinformation and Harmful Generalizations

The letter also denounces the way the trans community is frequently scapegoated and misportrayed as a threat to society. Signatories stress that one can be a strong advocate for women’s rights while fiercely defending trans rights as well. The case of author J.K. Rowling is cited to highlight how fame can be used to legitimize divisive discourse.

“Inclusion of trans people—particularly trans women—is not antifeminist,” the spokesperson said. “This narrative is designed to set us against each other, and we reject it.”

While acknowledging that critics of gender theory are entitled to their opinions, she underscored their struggles with embracing human diversity. Through this letter, the collective aims to show that these views are far from mainstream.

Refocusing on Real Issues That Impact Women

In response to dismissive comments from celebrities like Keira Knightley, the group insists it’s no longer possible to remain silent while public conversation evolves. Their central message is clear: everyone deserves dignity and equality, without being dragged into culture wars.

They also pointed to the troubling trend of casting trans people as a distraction from urgent issues. One such issue is domestic abuse: a recent report found that over 1.6 million women in England and Wales endured domestic violence between 2023 and 2024. Additionally, 89% of those criminally charged with sexual violence were men.

“Yes, women face serious challenges—but trans people are not the cause of them,” she stated.

A Vision for an Inclusive and United Future

Despite rising tensions, the group remains hopeful for a more inclusive, compassionate future. They highlight the importance of political figures like Zohran Mamdani, a New York City council member, and Zack Polanski of the UK Green Party, who consistently use their platforms to combat disinformation and promote solidarity.

“These are allies unafraid to speak out against abuse and stand up to bullies,” she concludes.