We address the resilient and compassionate residents of Wolverhampton and the surrounding communities today, with a call for solidarity and support. As members of the Midlands Trans and Feminist Unity Group, we ask that you to stand alongside us in opposing the screening of the film "Adult Human Female" followed by a Q&A session with the film makers, organised by "Woman's Place UK" and "Adult Human Female, Wolverhampton". This event is scheduled to take place in Wolverhampton on Thursday 1st June, 2023. Additionally, we appeal to the venue, whose name is being withheld until a mere two hours prior to the screening, to refuse to host a screening of a transphobic film within their walls.

We write to you in the spirit of unity and equality, to emphasise that the rights of women and the rights of trans individuals are not in competition. They are intricately interconnected, and by uplifting both, we foster a society that truly embodies justice for all. We firmly assert that marginalising and erasing trans women from "women's spaces" not only inflicts harm upon trans individuals but also jeopardizes the safety and well-being of cisgender women (women who identify with their birth gender), especially those who may not conform to stereotypical feminine appearances. It is important that we challenge the distorted arguments propagated by the film concerning the prison system, competitive sports, and toilet facilities. These subjects have become focal points for those harbouring transphobic views, seeking to oversimplify gender through their narrow lenses while dismissively disregarding the multi-layered conversations surrounding gender in our society at large. If left unchecked, these platforms can and have impacted upon other marginalised groups, as often migrants, the queer community, and people with disabilities also all face the same opposing structures, with many in these communities also identifying as women.

Addressing the issue of toilet facilities, it is crucial to recognise that public spaces, far more than women's toilets, witness a significantly higher incidence of violence. Cisgender women and individuals of all genders who are transgender often find themselves victimised by violence rather than perpetrating it. However, these facts do not lend weight to transphobic arguments. Nonetheless, transphobes divert attention to toilets, conjuring unfounded and fictitious fears of trans women as predators, absent of any substantiating evidence.

Addressing competitive sports, transphobes raise concerns about perceived unfair advantages purportedly derived from male biology. Yet, it is essential to note that in many sporting competitions today, the notion of a "pure" or biology-based system based on merit has been distorted by the widespread use of performance-enhancing drugs. Capitalist influences have already tainted these contests, transforming them into sensationalised spectacles rather than genuine quests for fairness. It also bears emphasising that trans women rarely achieve top-level success in these sports, rendering the concerns raised by transphobes irrelevant. These arguments take focus away from the pressing issues within competitive sports, including sexism, misogyny, lack of facilities, lack of individual resources and the lack of public transport.

Examining the film's fixation on the prison system, we observe a significant departure from the professed leftist politics of the so-called "gender critical" movement. Instead of engaging in discussions about prison abolition and envisioning a reimagined system of justice, as championed by the broader trans-inclusive feminist movement, they opt to nit-pick and trivialise the details of our oppression by obsessing over the genitalia of prisoners. This shift represents a clear divergence from the vision of a better world, one where prisons play a diminished role. The arguments put forth by transphobes, suggesting that the inclusion of trans women in women's prisons endangers cisgender women, are built upon distorted representations and exaggerated portrayals of exceptional cases. Such arguments ignore the very real harm inflicted upon trans women who find themselves incarcerated.

As members of the Midlands Trans and Feminist Unity Group, we implore you to join us in rejecting transphobia and embracing a society founded on the principles of equality, dignity, and inclusivity. Let us foster an environment where the rights of all individuals are respected, regardless of their gender identity. Together, we can create a future that transcends divisions, celebrates diversity, and dismantles the oppressive structures that seek to limit us. Stand with us in solidarity, and let Wolverhampton be a beacon of progress and acceptance.

In unity,