Author: Steph

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Steph Richards (she/her) is a 74-year-old human rights activist, intersectional feminist, and recipient of a 2023 Inspirational Women of Portsmouth Award. Holding a Gender Recognition Certificate and "post op", she is the founder and Chair of Translucent.Org.UK, which was named LGBT Organisation of the Year at the 2022 National Diversity Awards. Steph was also shortlisted as a Positive Role Model for Gender at the 2025 National Diversity Awards. Steph’s leadership spans political, healthcare, and community advocacy. She served as the Women’s and LGBT Officer for the Portsmouth Labour Party (2021–2024), co-founded the Women’s Action Network (Portsmouth), and is a former CEO of a women’s health charity. A passionate champion for women's healthcare, she possesses extensive expertise in baby loss awareness, actively defends UK abortion rights and is a member of "Women Against the Far-Right". Calling out VAWG, Steph has researched and written about 125 women and girls killed by a man. A prominent voice in national media and debate, Steph has been featured live on BBC Radio 4's Woman's Hour, Anti Social, Good Morning Britain, Times Radio, LBC, GB News, and Channel 4 News. In 2023, she debated trans human rights alongside Harvard biologist Dr. Carole Hooven at a prominent US university event.

The Impact of Gender-Critical Ideology on Women and Society

The Impact of Gender-Critical Ideology on Women and Society: This text asserts that gender-critical ideology, despite its purported feminist origins, is damaging as it excludes transgender people, weakens feminist unity, diverts attention from patriarchy, and carries the risk of aligning with socially conservative viewpoints. Continue Reading The Impact of Gender-Critical Ideology on Women and Society

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Naomi Cunningham barrister and Amery and Mondon's analysis of transphobia

This opinion piece, titled “Naomi Cunningham barrister and Amery and Mondon’s analysis of transphobia” analyses Naomi Cunningham’s views and actions regarding trans rights through the lens of organised transphobia, highlighting her alignment with gender-critical movements and the harmful impacts this has on transgender people. Continue Reading Naomi Cunningham barrister and Amery and Mondon’s analysis of transphobia

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The Scotsman Sarwar and Swinney

The Scotsman article reinforces transphobic discourse by framing the gender debate as a conflict between trans rights and women’s rights, employing moral panics, exclusionary rhetoric, and “othering” of trans people.
Continue Reading The Scotsman Sarwar and Swinney must now accept the circle cannot be squared on gender debate – a response.

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Trade Unions Have A Woman Problem - A Response to Paul Embery's Blog

Paul Embery’s blog (21st February 2025) post raises concerns about the trade union movement’s stance on sex-based rights and transgender issues. While Paul positions himself as a defender of women’s rights, a closer look at his arguments may reveal potential transphobic undertones. Continue Reading Trade Unions Have A Woman Problem – A Response to Paul Embery’s Blog

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Trans Lives - a poem by Steph Richards

Trans Lives – A Poem Trans lives begin with names assigned, yet our souls within are differently inclined; through dysphoria’s depths, our battles rage, our true self sought, a new path staged. With judging eyes, the world outside inflicts wounds and shouts their lies, our struggles we face with grace and might, to live as our true self in truth…. and light. In hushed reverence, we gather here, hearts heavy with sorrow and filled with fear for trans folk in the United States, a future so bleak, we can’t contemplate. Sixteen years young, with dreams to pursue, a life full…

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