The Women’s Institute (WI), the UK’s largest voluntary women’s group, has proudly declared its acceptance of transgender members. The statement comes after a petition, circulated by a group called Women’s Institute Declaration, demanded a “moratorium” on trans women joining the organisation. The petition has called for a vote on trans women’s inclusion in the group. However, the WI has refused the demands and rejected the petition.
The WI has officially admitted trans women since 2015, although trans women have been welcomed for decades. Its official policy states that trans women are welcome to participate “in the same way as other women”. Melissa Green, CEO of the National Federation of Women’s Institutes, said in a statement that they are proud of this policy and how inclusive and supportive WI members are.
The Women’s Institute petition claims that the group “cannot legitimately campaign for women-specific issues” due to its pro-LGBTQ+ policy. It is calling for a membership vote to decide whether Women’s Institutes should revert to being a sex-based membership organisation or embrace gender ideology. The petition also demands a halt be placed on new trans members joining, although current trans members would be allowed to remain part of the WI.
Caroline Nokes, chair of the Women and Equalities Committee, criticised the anti-trans petition, saying that “trans people are among the most marginalised and the most abused in our communities, and we can do better than try to paint them all as dangerous predators”.
The WI’s statement comes as the UK government appears to be moving towards banning trans people from more single-sex spaces, with prime minister Rishi Sunak claiming that “biological sex is fundamentally important”. Sunak has pledged to protect same-sex spaces on the basis of biology, while also urging compassion and understanding for trans people.
The WI has made it clear that they stand with their trans members and will continue to welcome all women to celebrate who they are and influence positive change in their communities.
