Being a human rights activist both for trans people and women, I guess it’s normal these days to upset some people.

Sadly, though for some, a reasonable debate is not on the agenda, and they turn to hate. The message on this page (technically a hate incident) was sent to me via the contact page via the old Steph’s Place website on December 6th 2022. It was reported to the Police, who have done nothing other than send a letter saying they were sorry that I was a victim.

Trans hate crime has, in the last year, increased by 56%, driven by a media that demonises the trans community and, in particular trans women – aided and abetted by gender-critical celebrities such as J.K. Rowling.

Add to this the death threats I have received are concerning, if not surprising, the difference being if J. K. Rowling got the messages I got, it would be on the front page of all the right-wing press.

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(Pronouns - she/her) - Steph Richards is a 73-year-old 'post-op' trans woman with a Gender Recognition Certificate and works as a human rights activist. She was the elected Women's and LGBT Officer at Portsmouth Labour Party 2021 - 2024, CEO of Translucent.Org.UK, winner of the LGBT Organisation of the Year at the National Diversity Awards in 2022, co-founder of Women's Action Network (Portsmouth) and a volunteer at a Women's health charity. Steph was shortlisted as a "Gender Role Model" at the National Diversity Awards in 2025. Steph has been platformed live on BBC Radio 4 three times, including Women's Hour. She has also appeared on Times Radio, LBC Radio, GB News and Channel 4 News. In 2023, Steph debated trans human rights at an American university event alongside Harvard biologist and author Carole Hooven, PhD. Steph (an intersectional feminist) is passionate about the inclusion and acceptance of trans people in society. She advocates for women in prison, specifically pregnant women and calls out the mounting concern that abortion rights are at risk in the UK. She was the recipient of an Inspirational Women of Portsmouth Award in March, 2023.

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