Fair Play For Women are others are often called transphobic. It is a political smear tactic designed to silence us and make others fearful of engaging with us. This is why is it vital that other do not repeat these claims out of context. /1

When broadcasters, newspapers, elected representatives link us to transphobia - directly or indirectly - it harms our reputation. Their reach and perceived authority means people who don't know us now also think we are transphobic. The rumours continue to spread /2

'Transphobic' is a serious allegation. The general public understands this word to mean hate, dislike, fear and prejudice towards trans people simply because they are trans. What is lost is that 'some people' who started the smear believe that acknowledging sex is transphobic /3

Fair Play For Women speaks about and prioritises sex; one of the nine protected characteristics in the Equality Act. That's what we do. We say that sex matters and that sometimes it needs to be prioritised over an individual self-declared gender in policy making /4

In sport for example. Sex matters. It's a legitimate and essential part of policy making to consider whether allowing people born male to play in female teams could be unfair or unsafe for other competitors. 'Some people' think that even raising this concern is transphobic /5

Under this 'new' definition of transphobia even acknowledging that transgender people who identify as women were born the male sex is 'transphobic'. Under this definition we are all transphobic. Facts are transphobic. /6

Repeating allegations that we are transphobic is wrong because 1) it's a very serious allegation linked to hate crime that causes significant reputational damage 2) Most people don't understand who calls us 'transphobic' & why 3) It is a false allegation with no evidence base /7

Sex-based rights are not transphobic & this idea must not be normalised by broadcasters, newspapers and elected officials. We will continue our work to challenge these false allegations. Please share and support our crowdfunder to make that possible /end https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/fairplayforwomen