Trans Woman Departs from Women's Health Charity
Steph Richards, a trans woman who faced criticism from former Home Secretary Suella Braverman for her role at a women's health charity, has left the organisation.
Richards served as chief executive and later as parliamentary adviser to Endometriosis South Coast, based in Portsmouth, Hampshire.
The 73-year-old announced her departure on X, stating it was "in the best interests of myself, the charity and the vital work it does."
Criticism from Former Home Secretary
Suella Braverman, the Reform MP representing Fareham and Waterlooville, described Richards' position at the charity as "insulting and inappropriate" to women affected by endometriosis, a condition impacting areas around the womb.
In a letter to the charity dated March, Braverman expressed her concerns:
"It is remarkable that a charity established to advocate for women's health would appoint a man, without female anatomy or experience of this disease, to speak for those whose suffering is defined by their sex.
This regressive decision erases women from their own health issues, replaces lived female experience with male self-identification and silences the very people your organisation claims to represent."
Richards' Statement on Departure
Richards did not provide detailed reasons for her resignation in her X post but mentioned other recent changes in her life:
"Further to my recent resignation as CEO of TransLucent [a transgender community interest company] and changes in my life generally, an opportunity recently arose to work more closely with Women's Action Network Portsmouth."
Previous Responses to Criticism
Earlier in 2023, Richards described the criticism surrounding her appointment as chief executive of Endometriosis South Coast as "transphobic" and affirmed her commitment as a "passionate" women's health campaigner.
Speaking on BBC Radio 4's Woman's Hour, she said:
"I was brought in... to raise the awareness of endometriosis full stop and also to raise the profile of Endometriosis South Coast.
It's pretty amazing that in five days I've achieved that and the vehicle that's done that is transphobia."
Jodie Hughes, founder of the charity, commented on the issue during the programme:
"The CEO of Prostate Cancer [UK] is a female - they can't get prostate cancer."
About Endometriosis
Endometriosis is a medical condition where tissue similar to the lining of the womb grows in other parts of the body, such as the ovaries and fallopian tubes.
The condition can affect women of any age and may cause pain and fertility difficulties, according to information from the NHS website.
Further Information
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