In the interests of transparency and airing a diversity of views, I publish the following email exchange, with permission. I have changed the name of the person who sent it, referring to them as “Mr W” throughout. His text is otherwise unchanged. This was sent to me shortly after yesterday’s post went live on Pink News, and here. For clarity, I present Mr W’s comments in mauve.
On 27 Jan 2014, at 15:30, Mr W wrote:
I don’t see why you want the support of stonewall for transsexual people. I am a gay man and stonewall is for gay men, gay women and bisexuals in same sex relationships. I don’t feel that I have anything in anyway as an insight to offer to a transsexual . As far as I am aware from speaking to some of my trans friends, most believe that they are the sex that they wish to be transitioned to and they want usually to date people of the opposite sex. Its rare a man changes to woman and then dates a woman and the same goes for women wishing to do the same. Most trans people do not believe that they are gay and therefor I fail to see what the gay scene can offer them. It is about time some one with your influence created an established advice line for trans people run by trans people, so that the right information can be given and when problems need to be talked over there is an adviser who will understand more closely what experiences the person have been through.
Stonewall and other gay charities raise most of the money through the gay, lesbian and bi volunteers collecting money and in this austere time it does not go far, they need that money for its intended purpose i.e to counsel and advise people in same sex relationships and safer sex. Please stop having a go at the gay scene and try to create something good for the trans community instead.
On Monday, 27 January 2014, 15:34, Sarah Brown wrote:
Dear Mr W,
You have written to me using my council email. Can I ask, are you one of my constituents seeking help on an issue?
Kindest regards,
Sarah
On 27 Jan 2014, at 16:13, Mr W wrote:
no i am just making a general point about your attack on stonewall …..
On Monday, 27 January 2014, 16:15, Sarah Brown wrote:
I wasn’t aware I had attacked them. In the interests of transparency and debate, may I publish your comment as a rebuttal of my piece? I won’t use your name.
Kindest regards,
Sarah
Sent from my iPhone
On Tuesday, 28 January 2014, 11:15, Mr W wrote:
you can use it if you wish yes
oh and by the way if you are using your political position to try to pressure gay charities to do more for the trans community I think that is a form of attack.
Thank you