LGB Alliance

LGB Alliance is a British anti-trans organisation launched in October 2019 whose supporters include lawyer Allison Bailey, Bev Jackson (co-founder of the Gay Liberation Front), former comedian Simon Fanshawe, and anti-trans campaigner Miranda Yardley, their T-less name makes their stance pretty clear as well as lumping anything that isn't "LGB" as part of that umbrella. Despite claims to be "Asserting the right of lesbians, bisexuals and gay men to define themselves as same-sex attracted" they don't wish to extend this right to trans people.[1][2] Some media sources inaccurately claimed it had split from the LGBT charity Stonewall, but despite one or two former Stonewall people (like Fanshawe) being involved, none of Stonewall's staff or trustees left to join LGB Alliance.[3][4] In an interesting move, a branch known as “LGB Alliance Ireland” was established in October 2020... as a British company operating out of London.[5] This has drawn a great deal of criticism, as the majority of Irish feminists are not anti trans, and many consider TERFism to be an imperialist, colonialist movement that is unwanted in Ireland.[6]

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Political Positions

The LGB Alliance state that their goal is "Asserting the right of lesbians, bisexuals and gay men to define ourselves as same-sex attracted."

"We believe that biological sex is observed at birth and not assigned. In our view, current gender ideologies are pseudo-scientific and present a threat to people whose sexual orientation is towards the same sex, or to both sexes. In addition, we believe that these ideologies are confusing and dangerous to children."[7]

They have also said they are not anti-trans.[8] However this has been disputed by many[9][10], not least due to the actions and behaviours of the LGB Alliance, along with the affiliations and stated beliefs of their supporters, key or founding members, etc.

LGB Alliance Ireland appears to have introduced itself to the Irish by spreading a slew of transphobic inaccuracies[11], including a suggestion that a CBT treatment for obsessive compulsive disorder could also be applied to gender dysphoria in order to get the transgender patient to “learn to love the skin you live in”. Proposing a solution that sounds an awful lot like conversion therapy isn't too surprising for a group which has called laws that ban the practice of conversion therapy “Trojan Horses” while sharing an article which refers to transgender teenagers as a “global epidemic”.[12]

The LGB Alliance tweeted a list of 12 questions they had for 'prospective parliamentary candidates'. None of the questions related to LGB rights; instead every single one related to trans people.[13] They routinely share links on Twitter from anti-trans groups and publications including 4thWaveNow,[14] The Times,[15] communist publication Morning Star News[16] and many more, including the “Federalist”, Conservative Woman, and hard-right magazine Spiked, best known for defending Alex Jones, Tommy Robinson and Victor Orbán, the homophobic prime minister of Hungary, among others.[17][18]

They have also misrepresented, insulted and rejected the existence of non-binary people.[19][20]

They also claim to find the term ‘cisgendered’ to be offensive - a common transphobic stance reminiscent of the homophobic aversion to the words ‘straight’ or ‘heterosexual’.[21]

The LGB Alliance has long rubbed shoulders with "Transgender Trend", an anti-trans hate group who target children via propaganda and medical or educational policy, including a package of stickers which they withdrew after educators pointed out that they would facilitate bullying. The LGB Alliance has asked people to donate to them, promoted a book associated with them, and endorsed teaching materials they produce for use in schools.[22][23][24][25][26]

Regarding the conversation around trans-supportive parents and doctors, the LGB Alliance have also suggested for somebody here to be criminally prosecuted, though it may not be clear who. Non-transphobic LGBTQ+ groups who follow WPATH guidelines and help trans-supportive parents may be who they are saying should be prosecuted:[27][28].

“Clinicians have been pressured for years by lobby groups arguing on the basis of narrow ideological views and false suicide statistics. ... Much of the blame lies with leading LGBTQ+ orgs that have persuaded parents their children urgently need medicalization. When criminal prosecutions follow, this will become painfully clear.”

While it's perhaps not clear who they are suggesting should be prosecuted for providing medical treatment for gender dysphoria to minors, it would seem fairly reprehensible no matter what the answer is - doctors, LGBTQ+ rights activists, or parents. If they want LGBTQ+ rights organizations to be prosecuted for supporting treatment of dysphoria in minors, it reminds one of the effects that Russia's “gay propaganda” law has had on gay youth - a law that has also lead to gay people in Russia being unable to seek mental health support tailored to their needs, and being unable to voice this need in the first place.[29] If they want for doctors to be criminally prosecuted, they certainly have an ally in American conservatives, including the anti-gay Heritage Foundation.[30]

Most recently - and bafflingly - they tweeted Eddie Izzard to let her know that her recent decision to go by she / her pronouns was a let down. They magnanimously assured Izzard that they were sure she hadn’t ‘meant to offend’ anyone by being herself and invited her to chat. [31]

Founder's views

Founder Allison Bailey tweeted that trans people had no right to children.[32][33] At the time of the LGB Alliance's founding in London, Bailey stated that ‘gender extremism is about to meet its match’.[34] She also stated "The LGBTQ lobbying juggernaut that created & then weaponised 'gender identity' theories, gave birth to a cult... No cult ends voluntarily. They must be stopped." - this could be considered a rather chilling threat against non transphobic LGBTQ people. [35].

Their co-founder, Kate Harris, explicitly stated intersex people 'necessitate medical treatment'.[36]

Anti LGB Positions

Co-founder Malcolm Clark, who apparently works on contract for the BBC, has stated that LGBT school clubs are "unnecessary and dangerous" and "encourage predators",[37] Victim blaming children for the existence of predators because they organised supportive social clubs is a curious stance for a supposedly pro LGB organisation - it is usually heterosexual right wingers that assume orientation is inherently sexual (think of the children.) His position on the topic certainly seems to have drawn the interest of the UK-based evangelical Christian conservative[38][39] organization Christian Concern, which published information about the incident on its website for its readers.[40]

One of the speakers at the LGB Alliance launch event was Gary Powell, a man who has allied with the Heritage Foundation against gay surrogacy rights and has written for Public Discourse, a division of The Witherspoon Institute which staunchly opposes gay marriage.[41][42]

Activist Casey Explosion has highlighted the LGB Alliance's other links with Conservative evangelical think tank the Heritage Foundation.[43]

The LGB Alliance argued on Twitter that it isn't “homophobic” to not be in favor of gay marriage, because most people identified as lesbian, gay or bisexual in the United Kingdom aren't gay married.[44] The chart they use to support this argument shows an increase in the proportion of gay marriages every year relative to the LGB population in the UK.

However, while they consider being against equal marriage *not* homophobic, apparently the entire modern, mainstream LGBT movement *is* homophobic, because it isn’t transphobic. [45]

In August 2020, the LGB Alliance claimed that a rainbow lanyard “reflects alignment with gender identity campaigners who promote self-ID. There is a clash between self-ID and the rights of LGB people and women”. Additionally, they suggested agreement with the sentiment that wearing a rainbow lanyard “undermines the impartiality of the police”.[46][47][48]

They also falsely and ahistorically stated that gay and lesbian activists “never demanded society change its laws” or “cursed people who disagreed”; [49] a baffling and incorrect statement from a group purporting to serve LGB people, and rather insulting to the lesbian and gay activists who fought and died to change homophobic laws [50] and in some countries, still give their lives in support of the cause [51].

The LGB Alliance also ‘object’ to non-binary people and imply they think non binary people do not exist [52]

The Ireland LGB Alliance tried to pressure schools into withdrawing from an anti-bullying campaign, designed to help LGBT children. The campaign, BeLonG To, distributes packs to schools across the country that draw attention to the violence, discrimination and bullying LGBT+ young people often face in school. The group were lambasted by Irish scientist and artist Robert Bohan, who branded the LGB Alliance Ireland “an infamous hate group masquerading as a gay rights organisation”.[53]

Biphobia

The LGB Alliance recently stated that the presence of bisexual people in opposite sex relationships in gay bars and clubs was disrespectful and offensive. [54]

Conversion ‘therapy’

While the LGB Alliance claim they do not support conversion therapy, they opposed a ban on conversion therapy, [55] and claimed that ‘gender identity’ campaigners having given ‘conversion therapy’ a new meaning. This is untrue, and trans people subjected to conversion ‘therapy’ experience the same enormous increase in suicidal ideation that LGB people do, which is why every reputable psychological organisation denounces it [56]

Despite claiming to oppose conversion therapy LGB Alliance still support the Radical Feminist idea that Gender Identity doesn't really exist and is simply an 'ideology' that should be rejected. [57] The logical conclusion of rejecting gender identity is that there is no legitimate medical reason for any trans people to transition, and that all gender dysphoria should be treated with psychotherapy.

Criticism from the LGBTQ community

The initial LGB Alliance announcement was met with widespread condemnation by the LGBTQ community.[58] They have been criticised by Out magazine.[59] Pink News charted the immense backlash from LGBTQ people against the group, with LGB people describing the group as 'transphobic', 'disgusting' and 'vile'. At the time of the group's founding, several commentators claimed that the LGB Alliance's founding signatories were primarily composed of heterosexuals.[60][61][62]

Former Chief Executive of Stonewall, Ruth Hunt, has said:[63]

It feels to me that the old, homophobic attitudes have simply morphed into new transphobic ones. The same hatred is behind all of it. When those who spread such prejudicial views present themselves as our friends, merely trying to defend us from the malignant danger of trans people, it is completely disingenuous.

More recently a bisexual woman went to a queer club in Glasgow wearing an LGB Alliance t-shirt in what seems like a deliberate attempt to offend. She was asked to turn her t-shirt inside out, and when she refused, was ejected. She was monitored and quickly provided with her jacket. While some TERFs have supported this person, the wider LGBT community, particularly cis bisexual women, have applauded the club for ejecting someone wearing a t-shirt representing a hate group.[64]

Support from the right wing

Many right-wing newspapers and organisations have supported the LGB Alliance. These include anti-trans trans woman Debbie Hayton, in the Spectator,[65] reactionary libertarian publication Quillette and noted TERF Helen Joyce,[66] who edits the Economist, a publication that suggested trans people should be subject to mandatory sterilisation before being recognised.[67] Other supporters have included TERF website After Ellen,[68] right wing and anti-trans newspaper The Times,[69] Andrew Sullivan from far right publication Breitbart[70] and Conservative Woman.[71]

It is perhaps telling that both Breitbart[72] and Conservative Woman are otherwise firmly homophobic.

Self-identified butch lesbian Ruth Hunt has wryly noted how lovely and surprising it is to see a previously rather anti-LGB media become positively friendly towards LGB rights when they can be weaponised against trans people:[63]

"Truly, I am touched and thrilled to have the support of so many sections of the media. If I'm honest, I thought they hated butch lesbians. I'm delighted that they are now passionately championing our right to exist and be proud of who we are."

Questionable propaganda

LGB Alliance co-founder Bev Johnson has previously used the organization's Twitter to share a rather... dubious anecdote. A tale is described of meeting a young, weeping woman at a party in 1969. She had apparently grown up in a small village and had never heard of homosexuality. Instead, she had - again in a small English village in the 60s - obtained a double mastectomy and hysterectomy, on request and without counselling or psychiatric assessment[73]. This story was meant to demonstrate the dangers of the trans agenda - and is unlikely to say the least. In response to skepticism about the claim, Bev Johnson responded:

“As I say, I can’t verify it. But impossible things do happen. I knew a healthy woman who had an elective abortion in the UK in 1950. Absolutely impossible but it happened. BJ”[74]

While trans healthcare had begun in the 1960s in England, it was centred on one London clinic [75]. While there is a legitimate feminist discussion to be had whether hysterectomy is overused - particularly in the United States, where 1 in 3 women have the procedure, compared to 1 in 5 in the U.K. [76] - it is extremely unlikely that a young, healthy, child-free woman would have been able to obtain one, then or now. Especially not because that person wanted to transition, and especially not without psychiatric intervention - both Roberta Cowell and Michael Dillon had to speak to psychiatrists before they could obtain hormones, let alone surgery. In short, even if the story in question was accurate, the surgeries would not have been obtained on the basis of transition.

OHCHR submission

The LGB Alliance submitted a document to the OHCHR seminar on academic freedom claiming that:

”Thus, those who Google our organization, LGB Alliance, are initially directed by Google’s algorithm to a RationalWiki page with false and defamatory information about us. In our view, this constitutes interference with the right to seek information.”[77]

They did not clarify which statements were allegedly false or defamatory. Their submission also objected to the fact that social media companies have begun to consider transphobia on a par with racism.

“The aforementioned companies that control the online media landscape suppress other views: those deemed to be fascistic or racist, for instance. By suppressing views.., such as what is called “misgendering”, along with views that are widely regarded as obnoxious, these companies create the suggestion that emphasizing the reality of biological sex belongs in the same category as these objectionable ideas.”

gollark: What if we make BF with extended I/O capabilities in some way?
gollark: You can stop arguing now.
gollark: ++delete EOF
gollark: I/O should be UTF-8 instëad.
gollark: <@160279332454006795> Maybe CommonBF or something. With standard cell sizes.

See also

References
  1. Petter, Olivia. ‘LGB Alliance’ group faces criticism for being transphobic. The Independent, October 24, 2019.
  2. Cursed E. UK’s first transgender hate crime case, feat Miranda Yardley; abusive transphobe. Medium, March 20, 2019.
  3. Kay, Liam. Stonewall denies newspaper reports that it has split. Third Sector, October 24, 2019.
  4. Jones, Gareth. LGBT charity hits out at split reports. Third Force News, October 24, 2019.
  5. Donohoe, Katie. New 'Irish' anti-trans 'hate group' believed to be a British import. Gay Community News (GCN), October 27, 2020.
  6. Open Letter to UK feminists coming to Ireland to "Talk"
  7. About. LGB Alliance.
  9. Petter, Olivia. ‘LGB Alliance’ group faces criticism for being transphobic. The Independent, October 24, 2019.
  10. Parsons, Vic. New lesbian, gay and bisexual group facing immense backlash for being anti-trans… from lesbians, gays and bisexuals. PinkNews, October 23, 2019.
  11. Thomas, Siobhan D.. Debunking the misinformation outlined by LGB Alliance Ireland. Gay Community News (GCN), November 12, 2020.
  12. “Conversion therapy laws are Trojan Horses, ostensibly about banning attempts to change sexual orientation in adults, actually about banning therapy to help gender-dysphoric children and youth become comfortable with their anatomic sex.” by LGB Alliance (10 Feb 2020) Twitter
  13. Parsons, Vic. The ‘LGB Alliance’ has 12 questions for potential MPs and none of them are about lesbian, bi or gay issues. PinkNews, November 13, 2019.
  14. AllianceLGB on Twitter: Sharing 4thWaveNow material.
  15. AllianceLGB on Twitter: Sharing The Times material.
  16. AllianceLGB on Twitter: Sharing Morning Star News material.
  17. LGB Alliance share article from Spiked
  18. Monbiot, George. “Its articles repeatedly defend figures on the hard right or far right: Katie Hopkins, Nigel Farage, Alex Jones, the Democratic Football Lads’ Alliance, Tommy Robinson, Toby Young, Arron Banks, Viktor Orbán.”. The Guardian, December 7, 2018.
  20. [https://twitter.com/hotcistakes/status/1277767840808996865/photo/1
  21. LGB Alliance find the term cisgendered ‘offensive’.
  22. “One brave doctor speaks out about the harms of 'transgender medicines' for young people.” by TransgenderTrend (21 Apr 2018) Twitter (archived from Dec 7, 2020).
  23. “It's concerning that children are being taught that medical intervention is crucial to save their lives but mental health care for underlying problems is 'conversion therapy.'” by TransgenderTrend (26 Apr 2020) Twitter (archived from Dec 7, 2020).
  24. LGB Alliance promote a book associated with TransgenderTrend by LGB Alliance (6 Dec 2020) Twitter (archived from Dec 7, 2020).
  25. “The outstanding teaching materials of @Transgendertrd are accepted under government guidance. Talk to your school. Make sure children are taught fact based RSE not indoctrinated with ideas belonging to a damaging fantasy world.” by LGB Alliance (Oct 20, 2020) Twitter (archived from Dec 7, 2020).
  26. LGB Alliance encourages followers donate to “Transgender Trend” by LGB Alliance (15 Jul 2020) Twitter (archived from Dec 7, 2020).
  27. LGB Alliance seem to suggest non-transphobic LGBTQ groups should be prosecuted
  28. “Clinicians have been pressured for years by lobby groups arguing on the basis of narrow ideological views and false suicide statistics. ... Much of the blame lies with leading LGBTQ+ orgs that have persuaded parents their children urgently need medicalization. When criminal prosecutions follow, this will become painfully clear.” by LGB Alliance (6 Dec 2020) Twitter (archived from Dec 7, 2020).
  29. As one mental health provider explained, “The whole situation is just worsening. As of today, teachers and teachers-psychologists are not allowed to speak positively ... on LGBT topics. They can’t just say to a kid, ‘Hey, everything is normal with you.’” Human Rights Watch, December 11, 2018.
  30. Lam, Kristin. “"There have been policy meetings among groups like ... The Heritage Foundation, who have long had a mission of pushing anti-LGBTQ policies, to push two types of bills this year," Strangio said. "One being the medical care bans and the other being bans on trans athletes participating in sports. So it's a coordinated effort that's coming from national groups."” USA Today, February 6, 2020.
  31. LGB Alliance Tell Eddie Izzard She’s Let People Down by Being Trans
  32. Allison Bailey says trans people have no right to children
  33. Allison Bailey on Twitter, archived
  34. Allison Bailey on Twitter, archived
  35. Allison Bailey appears to make threat
  36. Parsons, Vic. The LGB Alliance, which claims to fight for lesbian, gay and bi people, has changed its logo and people are pointing out the obvious. PinkNews, December 24, 2019.
  37. Parsons, Vic. LGB Alliance founder says there shouldn’t be LGBT clubs in schools because of ‘predatory gay teachers’. PinkNews, January 23, 2020.
  38. Sherwood, Harriet. “Christian Concern, a conservative evangelical organisation”. The Guardian, November 20, 2018.
  39. About. Christian Concern.
  40. LGB Alliance founder criticises RSE lessons. Christian Concern, January 28, 2020.
  41. Fairchild, Phaylen. New LGB Alliance Aims to Evict Trans People From Activism. Medium, October 26, 2019.
  42. Parsons, Vic. Activist instrumental in the launch of the LGB Alliance linked to anti-abortion and anti-LGBT+ hate groups. PinkNews, June 3, 2020.
  43. CaseyExplosion on Twitter: "If anyone was wondering if this "LGBAlliance" thing was yet more astroterfing from US religious fundamentalists, there's your obvious Heritage Foundation connection."
  44. https://archive.is/IgT7u
  45. LGB Alliance say mainstream LGBTQ community is homophobic on Twitter
  46. “A rainbow lanyard expresses a political view. It reflects alignment with gender identity campaigners who promote self-ID. There is a clash between self-ID and the rights of LGB people and women. The police authorities fail to understand this.” by LGB Alliance (17 Aug 2020) Twitter (archived from August 18th, 2020).
  47. “Bob Fousert showed he understood that displaying the rainbow lanyard undermines the impartiality of the police.” by LGB Alliance (17 Aug 2020) Twitter
  48. https://twitter.com/GcHomophobia/status/1295636073088012288 screenshots of LGB Alliance on Twitter
  49. LGB Statement
  50. History of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Social Movements
  51. LGBT Activist Murdered
  52. Why We Object to Non Binary
  53. LGB Alliance Ireland launch insidious email campaign encouraging schools to pull out of vital anti-LGBT+ bullying initiative
  54. LGB Alliance state that bisexual people in opposite relationships should not go to gay bars
  55. LGB Alliance oppose a ban on conversion therapy
  56. Declaration on the Impropriety and Dangers of Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Change Efforts
  57. AllianceLGB on Twitter
  58. BluskyeAllison on Twitter: "This is an historic moment for the Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual movement. *LGB Alliance* launched in London tonight, and we mean business. Spread the word, gender extremism is about to meet its match." Note the responses.
  59. Sonoma, Serena. LGBTQ+ Community Rallies Against Anti-Trans 'LGB Alliance'. Out, October 25, 2019.
  60. Parsons, Vic. New lesbian, gay and bisexual group facing immense backlash for being anti-trans… from lesbians, gays and bisexuals. PinkNews, October 23, 2019.
  61. joss_prior on Twitter: "Here are the signatories to a previous petition ... Less than half are lgbt, and its only a handful."
  62. BellaRizinti on Twitter: "LGB Alliance of mostly cis-hets. 😂 Transphobes are ridiculous."
  63. Hunt, Ruth. When transphobic people try to pretend they're defending butch lesbians like me, I see the cynical tactic for what it is. The Independent, November 16, 2017.
  64. Parsons, Vic. Bisexual woman claims Glasgow queer bar kicked her out for wearing LGB Alliance T-shirt. PinkNews, January 19, 2020.
  65. Hayton, Debbie. In defence of the LGB Alliance. The Spectator, October 31, 2019.
  66. Joyce, Helen. Meet the Gay Activists Who’ve Had Enough of Britain’s Ultra-Woke Homophobes. Quillette, November 4, 2019.
  67. Morgan, Joe. The Economist Apologises for Saying Trans People Should be Sterilised. March 20, 2019.
  68. Heuchan, Claire. LGB Alliance asks Human Rights Watchdog to Investigate ‘Stonewall Law’. AfterEllen, November 7, 2019.
  69. Hellen, Nicholas. Lesbian barrister: my bosses bowed to transgender ‘hate mob’. The Times, October 27, 2019.
  70. Munro, Neil. Andrew Sullivan: Transgender Ideology Targets Gays, Lesbians. Breitbart, November 18, 2019.
  71. ffiske, Caroline. Gender zealots faced with a fightback. Conservative Woman, November 12, 2019.
  72. Steve Bannon. GLAAD.
  73. The Weeping Lesbian
  75. Transsexual Pioneers
  76. Hysterectomy FAQ Women’s Health
  77. LGB Alliance submission to OHCHR seminar on academic freedom
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