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Sex Matters vs. transgender people

Sex Matters is an anti-transgender sex segregationist organization based in the United Kingdom.

For media titled Sex Matters, see the note below.

Background

Sex Matters Ltd was founded on October 26, 2020 by Rebecca Bull, Naomi Cunningham, Maya Forstater, and Emma Hilton.

People

Key people include:

  • Rebecca Bull – Founder and Officer (2020–present)
  • Naomi Cunningham – Founder and Officer (2021–present)
  • Maya Forstater – Founder and Officer (2020–present)
  • Emma Hilton – Founder and Officer (2021–present)
  • Michael Biggs – Officer (2021–present)
  • Julia Casimo – Officer (2022–present)
  • Anne Palmer – Officer (2020–2021)
  • Tim Allan – Trustee (2024-2025)
  • Kate Owen – Trustee (2024–present)
  • Claire Weir – Trustee (2024–present)
  • Anya Palmer – Trustee (2024–present)
  • Jo Bartosch – Memo Editor
  • Lexi Ellingsworth – Campaign Manager
  • Helen Joyce – Director of Advocacy
  • Beck Laxton – Publications Manager
  • Emma Moore – Administrator
  • Gemma Winborn-Peart – Head of Marketing

Advisory group

Note

Several written works have the title Sex Matters, including some by anti-trans authors:

  • Sex Matters: Essays in Gender-Critical Philosophy by Holly Lawford-Smith (2023)
  • Sex Matters: How Modern Feminism Lost Touch with Science, Love, and Common Sense by Mona Charen (2018)
  • Why Sex Matters: A Darwinian Look at Human Behavior by Bobbi S. Low (1999)
  • Sex Matters by Jonathan McKee (2015)

This anthology is by trans-supportive editors:

  • Sex Matters: The Sexuality and Society Reader Edited by Mindy Stombler, Dawn M. Baunach, Elisabeth O. Burgess, Wendy Simonds, Elroi J. Windsor (2003–present)

These titles are unrelated to trans issues:

  • Sex Matters: How Male-Centric Medicine Endangers Women’s Health and What We Can Do About It by Alyson J. McGregor (2020)
  • Sex Matters: From Sex to Superconsciousness by Osho (2003)

References

Perry, Sophie (July 15, 2025). Scottish government reviewing trans toilet policy after fresh legal threat. PinkNews https://www.thepinknews.com/2025/07/15/scottish-government-reviewing-trans-toilet-policy-after-fresh-legal-threat/

Robson, Graham (July 11, 2025 ). Equality & Human Rights Commission accused of bias over links to gender-critical lobby groups. Scene Magazine https://www.scenemag.co.uk/equality-human-rights-commission-accused-of-bias-over-links-to-gender-critical-lobby-groups/

Domb, Arielle (July 14, 2025). Who are Sex Matters? The controversial campaign group. Evening Standard https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/sex-matters-who-hampstead-heath-women-only-pond-b1238022.html

Pooran, Neil (July 4, 2025). Gender critical campaigners demand action from government on toilet access. The Independent https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/scottish-government-supreme-court-snp-john-swinney-scottish-b2782734.html

Williams, ST (June 26, 2025). Behind the ruling: how ‘Sex Matters’ is shaping UK policy on trans rights. Yorkshire Bylines https://yorkshirebylines.co.uk/news/home-affairs/behind-the-ruling-how-sex-matters-is-shaping-uk-policy-on-trans-rights/

Staff report (June 18, 2025). Women’s group threatens legal action over single-sex spaces. BBC https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cr4w07k17ygo

Brooks, Libby (June 18, 2025). Scottish government faces legal action over failure to implement biological sex ruling. The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/jun/18/scottish-government-given-deadline-to-implement-ruling-on-biological-sex

Holt, Alison; Melley, James (April 18, 2025). The Supreme Court ruling gives clarity – but now comes the difficult part. BBC https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c74z04j23pwo

Singh, Anita (April 2, 2025). Jail doctors who perform trans surgery on young people, says feminist activist. The Telegraph https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/04/02/jail-doctors-trans-surgery-young-people-says-helen-joyce-uk/

Hansford, Amelia (March 21, 2025). Government asked to reject ‘biased’ review by academic with ties to gender-critical group. PinkNews https://www.thepinknews.com/2025/03/21/sullivan-review-sex-matters/

Brown, Oliver (March 7, 2025). ‘Biological male’ ruling proves sex matters in women’s sport. The Telegraph https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2025/03/07/biological-male-vindication-sex-matters-transphobic/

Mitchell, Hilary (February 5, 2025). What is gender-critical group Sex Matters and how is it involved with the Sandie Peggie tribunal? PinkNews https://www.thepinknews.com/2025/02/05/dr-beth-upton-tribunal-sandie-peggie-sex-matters/

Brooks, Libby (November 26, 2024). Supreme court urged to recognise ‘facts of biological reality’ in sex definition case. The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/society/2024/nov/26/supreme-court-for-women-scotland-gender-representation-appeal-case

Perry, Sophie (November 12, 2024). Equalities minister Anneliese Dodds meets with gender-critical group Sex Matters. PinkNews https://www.thepinknews.com/2024/11/12/anneliese-dodds-sex-matters-meeting-social-media-trans/

Staff report (September 20, 2024). Sex Matters appoints new trustees. https://sex-matters.org/posts/updates/sex-matters-appoints-new-trustees/

Whitehead, Harriet (April 5, 2024). Regulator grants Sex Matters charitable status. Civil Society https://www.civilsociety.co.uk/news/regulator-grants-sex-matters-charitable-status.html

Harle, Emily (5 April 2024). Controversial gender-critical group granted charitable status. Third Sector https://www.thirdsector.co.uk/controversial-gender-critical-group-granted-charitable-status/governance/article/1867826

Reed, Erin (September 21, 2023). “Biological Clothing” – Dress Codes Espoused By UK TERFs, US Conservatives. Erin In The Morning https://www.erininthemorning.com/p/biological-clothing-dress-codes-espoused

Resources

Trans Data Library (transdatalibrary.org)

  • Sex Matters
  • transdatalibrary.org/organization/sex-matters

Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org)

Sex Matters (sex-matters.org)

X/Twitter (x.com)

Facebook (facebook.com)

LinkedIn (linkedin.com)

Instagram (instagram.com)