Much discussion appears to have been taking place between LGBT organizations in the UK over the Julie Bindel affair. The Gender Trust at least seems happy to cease hostilities. Here’s what I think is happening.

Stonewall appears to be highly embarrassed by the whole affair, but is unable to do anything about it a) because they appointed an independent jury to pick the winner, and b) because the rules clearly state that the award is for writing in the calendar year of eligibility, and Bindel has somehow managed not to write anything transphobic for a whole year. Reading between the lines I also suspect that any attempt to remove Bindel from the awards would be met with outrage by many of Stonewall’s lesbian supporters. Lesbian separatist mythology holds that there is no such thing as trans men and that all trans women are “really” gay men, so if an LG group does something for trans people it tends to get viewed by some as the gay men oppressing the lesbians. So it is all very complicated.

Unfortunately I can’t see any way back for Stonewall from this. They can’t change their minds, they will have lost the confidence of most of the trans community, and knowing Bindel she’ll probably take the opportunity to grab headlines by saying something disgustingly transphobic at the awards ceremony. But you know, if we can’t get this right, what hope do we have of world peace?