Cheshire Women’s Institute branch to close in solidarity with trans women

A Cheshire Women’s Institute branch has announced it will close at the end of March after members voted overwhelmingly to suspend the group in protest at the national organisation’s exclusion of trans women.

Members of Social Lites WI gathered for a “Special Meeting” on 4 March attended by representatives of the Cheshire Federation of WIs, to formally officiate a vote on the group’s future. More than 75% of members who attended in person or voted by email backed suspension, paving the way for the branch’s closure after 13 years of fully inclusive operation.

In a statement, the committee thanked members for their support “both last night and over the last few months” as the group navigated recent national policy changes affecting eligibility for WI membership. From April 2026, the National Federation of Women’s Institutes (NFWI) will exclude trans women from joining - a shift first signalled in November 2025 and taken, Social Lites says, without member consultation.

The committee said many members “could no longer be part of an organisation that supports this exclusion”, describing the decision as one made in solidarity with a marginalised minority. With fewer than 50,000 trans women in the UK, they warned the policy change risks deepening isolation, particularly in the wake of the UK Supreme Court ruling in April 2025 which has already left many trans women feeling vulnerable and excluded.

Social Lites WI will therefore close on 31 March 2026, bringing to an end more than a decade of community building, activism, creativity and support.

In a message to members, the committee reflected on “13 glorious, fully inclusive years”, thanking those who had contributed to the group’s activities—whether baking for meetings, creating hand‑made raffle prizes, fundraising for local charities, entering the Cheshire Show or Social Lites Show, campaigning on local issues, or marching together at Pride and women’s events.

They also expressed gratitude to the volunteers who have run clubs, groups and meetings over the years: “We couldn’t have done it without you.”

The committee acknowledged the emotional weight of the decision but said the values of welcome, equality and solidarity had always been central to the group’s identity. Closing, they said, was the only way to remain true to those principles:
“Thank you to you all for creating such a fantastic community of women… It’s hard to remember everything that’s happened over the last 13 years, but there are some fabulous memories to remind us of everything we created together.”