Open Letter To Rupert Read

We the undersigned, as members of the Green Party, do not consider the comments of Rupert Read on social media, appropriate for a person standing for public office.

We are aware that some cisgendered people, are troubled by the word ‘cis’. We consider this entirely a personal problem, that is the responsibility of the individual to deal with. We do not believe there is any rational basis to resist the term, as it comes from the same latin roots as ‘transgender’, and consider the promotion of this stance in public to propagate anti-trans sentiments.

As the trans-liberation and feminist movements are led by humans, we understand that they are imperfect, and that some fringe positions conflict. We consider the core of trans-liberation and feminism to be entirely compatible, and consider the promotion of trans-liberation and feminism as being in general conflict to be harmful to both movements.

We understand that women vary greatly, with vastly different experiences, and views on life. We do not consider it reasonable to deny trans women their womanhood because of their different experiences.We believe that the denying of trans women full access to womens spaces, and the feminist movement, would be harmful to feminism and trans people.

We do not consider it appropriate to refer to trans women as ‘former men’. Trans people vary greatly in the terms they are comfortable with. Many trans women identify as having always been women, we believe that to deny this is fundamentally disrespectful and harmful to the feminist movement.

We reiterate that these comments are unsuitable for any individual seeking public office, and request a public apology.