The Lesbian Project, a trans-exclusionary initiative, were met with protestors from the Dyke Project at their inaugural event on Saturday
On Saturday (25 March), members of the Dyke Project came together to protest the inaugural Lesbian Project event.
The Lesbian Project, a trans-exclusionary initiative, was launched earlier this month by ‘gender critical’ campaigners Julie Bindel and Kathleen Stock, and has been supported by outspoken transphobes JK Rowling and Graham Linehan.
Speaking on the Woman’s Hour, Stock said “we’re interested in same-sex attracted females, exclusively same-sex attracted females” and has explicitly rejected the idea of a united LGBTQ+ community, writing that “the work of the Lesbian Project [is] to stop lesbians disappearing into the rainbow soup.”
Following the group’s launch, hundreds of lesbians signed an open letter which denounced the trans-exclusionary group as not reflective of the “lives, needs and community” of lesbians.
On Saturday, the group held its first event at the Mary Ward House in Central London, where they were met with protestors from the Dyke Project – a trans-inclusive group, formed in direct response to the Lesbian Project.
“Some want to sow hate and divide us by saying lesbians are being erased and need protection – so not true!”, the pro-trans group tweeted at the weekend. “We’re thriving and strongest when together. Those who want to divide us say that ‘the lesbian social scene is going extinct’ and that we must protect it by excluding those who are trans.”
Pictures show hundreds of lesbians, LGBTQ+ people and allies crowding outside the conference, dancing, and celebrating trans inclusion.
Speaking at the demonstration, Audre Feinberg, one of the organisers of ‘The Dyke Project’, said: “Recently, a small minority of vocal lesbians – and their friends in power – have attempted to sow hate and divide our communities by arguing that lesbians are being erased – and the solution is separation from trans and other LGBTQ+ people.”
“This simply isn’t true – we are thriving – so we decided to put on a party to show them! Trans people have been at the centre of struggles for gay and lesbian rights for generations and transgender people are our neighbours, family, friends, partners and fellow lesbians.”
“Today we gather to show them how strong and vibrant the lesbian community is. We don’t need protecting and are only strengthened through including those of us who are trans.”