“Not in Our Name”: Over 60,000 women sign open letter backing trans community

A grassroots campaign led by women across the UK in support of the trans community has passed 60,000 signatures, with organisers aiming to reach 100,000 by Christmas. The Not in Our Name (NION Women) open letter challenges claims that those seeking to exclude trans people - particularly trans women - speak for the majority of women.

Launched in May, the campaign gathered pace in October when Good Law Project joined forces with organisers, creating a dedicated website that attracted more than 10,000 signatures in a single weekend. High-profile supporters include campaigner Yasmin Benoit, influencer and campaigner Jude Guaitamacchi, actor and musician Ant Lexa, soul legend Beverley Knight and Carla Denyer MP.

NION Women say their message is simple: the UK should remain a society where everyone is treated with respect, and any approach that pits communities against one another harms everyone. A spokesperson for the collective said: “Certain media outlets and politicians have amplified the views of a minority who oppose trans inclusion and presented them as the position of women overall. We reject that entirely. Everyday women who believe in dignity and equality have been missing from the conversation. This letter is a way to show that most women do not want the trans community scapegoated.”

The group advocates for trans inclusion in all aspects of life, including access to healthcare, legal recognition, safe use of public facilities and protection from discrimination in employment and housing - rights they say should be universal. While acknowledging that gender-critical women are entitled to their views, NION Women stress these should not be portrayed as representative of all women.

The campaign also calls for attention to be redirected towards real threats to women’s safety. Statistics underline the urgency: one woman is killed by a man every three days in the UK; 1.7 million women experienced domestic abuse in 2023; and 98% of those convicted of sexual offences are men. “Women face serious challenges, but it’s not the trans community causing them,” the spokesperson added. “We need to focus on what truly harms women.”

By reaching 100,000 signatures by Christmas, NION Women hope to demonstrate the strength of support for trans inclusion among women. “We are sisters, mothers, daughters, business leaders, friends, partners, colleagues and caregivers, from all walks of life. We may face many challenges, but targeting the trans community will not make us safer.”