Hundreds of public bodies are paying thousands of pounds each to join Stonewall’s ‘Diversity Champions’ programme, it has been revealed.
Approximately 250 public bodies, including Government departments, police forces and local councils have joined the LGBT lobby group’s scheme. It rewards employers who promote LGBT ideology inside and outside of the workplace.
The subscription fee depends on the organisation’s size but starts at £2,500 plus VAT. According to The Sunday Telegraph, it could be costing the taxpayer at least £600,000.
‘Impartial’
Freedom of Information requests reveal that the Scottish Government paid £9,144 to Stonewall in 2019, including £7,200 for membership.
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) is paying the lobby group £6,000 a year for two subscriptions covering its staff in both England and Wales.
Tracy Shaw, spokeswoman for the Safe Schools Alliance UK, commented: “How can you be impartial when you are part of a champion programme which compels you to do certain things and behave in a certain way that contravenes women’s and girls’ rights to safe spaces?”
‘Terrifying’
Debbie Hayton, a man who lives as if he is a woman, wrote in The Spectator: “This is an organisation that is so convinced trans women are women, it believes we should be allowed to compete in women’s rugby, or sit on women-only panels or take up places on women-only shortlists.
“The idea that Stonewall may be reviewing public policies and training civil servants – while we are paying for it – is a terrifying prospect.”
Stonewall’s accounts indicate that in 2019 it made £3.26 million in fees, up around half a million on the year before. Substantial income comes from schools paying to become ‘Education Champions’ as well as from the Diversity Champions programme.
Legal action
The CPS has been threatened with a judicial review over its participation in Stonewall’s Diversity Champions programme.
Earlier this year, the CPS withdrew controversial guidance on LGBT hate crimes in schools following legal action by a 14-year old girl who accused it of “misrepresenting the law”.
The CPS said it would review the guidance, but the girl told the prosecuting body that its association with Stonewall breaches the law, because while it remains partnered to the LGBT group it cannot be impartial on transgenderism.
Her lawyers asked the CPS to withdraw from Stonewall’s programme in May, but as it has failed to do so, they have pressed ahead with applying for a judicial review.
Also see:
Police LGBT spend racks up thousands for the taxpayer
Equalities bodies face legal action over unlawful trans guidance
Thinking you’ve been excluded counts as ‘hate crime’ says CPS