Steph Richards, a 73-year-old trans woman and human rights activist, has resigned from her position as parliamentary engagement officer for the charity Endometriosis South Coast. The decision, announced via social media, follows significant criticism from gender critics who branded her appointment "absolutely ridiculous" and "fundamentally wrong."
Controversial Appointment and Swift Resignation
Ms Richards was appointed to the role last month, where she was responsible for representing the charity to Members of Parliament. This was not her first involvement with Endometriosis South Coast; she had previously served as CEO in 2023 but resigned from that position after six months following similar backlash from campaigners.
In a statement released on Wednesday, Ms Richards confirmed her departure, saying, "I would like to confirm that I have recently stepped down from my role as Parliamentary Advisor to Endometriosis South Coast. It was not a decision taken lightly, but one I believe is in the best interests of myself, the charity, and the vital work it does in supporting those living with endometriosis."
Criticism from Gender Critics
The appointment sparked immediate controversy, with critics arguing that it was inappropriate for a trans woman to represent a condition primarily affecting biological females. Amanda Craig, a noted author, told The Times, "It's as ridiculous as someone purporting to speak for black people when they're white. It's fundamentally discordant and wrong. Even if it comes from a good place and wanting to help women."
Endometriosis is a medical condition where cells similar to those in the uterine lining grow elsewhere in the body, leading to chronic pain, heavy bleeding, and often infertility. It predominantly affects women, as well as trans and non-binary individuals assigned female at birth, and intersex people.
Charity's Defense and Broader Context
In response to the criticism, Endometriosis South Coast defended Ms Richards' appointment, stating she was "a volunteer in a parliamentary engagement capacity" selected based on her talents. The charity added, "The ability to advocate meaningfully for a condition does not require personally having that condition; this standard is applied consistently across healthcare, policy, and the voluntary sector, and we apply it here, too."
Ms Richards, who has undergone gender confirmation surgery and holds a Gender Recognition Certificate, is also the founder of TransLucent, an advocacy group for trans and gender diverse communities. She recently resigned from her role as head of TransLucent to focus on a legal challenge against the Labour Party's decision to exclude trans women from its annual National Women's Conference in September.
Future Plans and Ongoing Advocacy
Following her resignation, Ms Richards announced plans to work more closely with the Women’s Action Network Portsmouth, an organization supporting women in the city. This collaboration will involve advocating on behalf of WASPI Women, who are campaigning against changes to the state pension age.
In a second statement, Ms Richards emphasized her commitment to inclusivity, saying, "We actively champion meaningful inclusion for every woman, regardless of age, class, disability, neurodiversity, race, religion, sexuality, or gender identity. Our solidarity is grounded in shared struggles and a collective commitment to dismantling patriarchy."
She added that her advocacy efforts will also address issues like the student debt system's unfair impact on women compared to men. Despite the controversy, Ms Richards previously defended her role by stating, "My birth sex doesn't come into it - my CV does," highlighting her qualifications and experience in advocacy work.
