Dismay at appointment of male activist as UK champion for women

Women’s groups have responded with dismay to news that a UK charity has appointed a male trans activist to represent women’s rights.

Fair Play For Women (FPFW), backed by sixteen other organisations, has called on UN Women UK to reconsider its selection of controversial transgender model Munroe Bergdorf as its UK ambassador for women and girls.

Among UN Women UK’s stated aims are the “promotion of women’s and girls’ human rights” and the “elimination of all forms of discrimination” against them.

33 million ignored

In a letter to the registered charity, which received a £36,000 Government grant last year, campaigners expressed disappointment at its selection of a “male activist” to take up the role.

They said: “The female population of the UK is more than 33 million yet you have ignored every one of us and chosen a male”.

The signatories – including Sex Matters, For Women Scotland and Transgender Trend – argued that Bergdorf’s activism was not “pro-women”, and highlighted the model’s “previous homophobic and racist” comments.

Entirely ‘unsuitable’

Referring to Bergdorf’s remarks on the ambassadorial responsibilities, FPFW’s representatives commented: “We agree with Munroe Bergdorf about ‘the importance of dismantling gender stereotypes in advertising and media’.

“But we do not see how a male whose presentation as a ‘woman’ is an extreme, sexualised version of femininity can contribute to this aim.

“On the contrary, Bergdorf’s gender presentation embodies the objectification which most women reject as a particularly demeaning example of offensive gender stereotypes.”

The letter concluded: “Your nomination for a women’s ambassador should be a female who is willing and determined to speak about the issues affecting women and girls. Munroe Bergdorf is unsuitable in every regard.”

Men take women’s awards

Last year, transgender activist India Willoughby – a man who lives as a woman – was controversially nominated as 2023 ‘Woman of the Year’ by the organisation’s award panel.

In October, homosexual publication Attitude named Dylan Mulvaney – another man who lives as a woman – as its ‘Woman of the Year’.

And in April, Alba Rueda, a biological man from Argentina, received the US Department of State’s International Women of Courage Award.