Trans woman Steph Richards steps down from women’s health charity Endometriosis South Coast role after criticism from MPs including Suella Braverman

A trans woman has stepped down from the role of parliamentary adviser for a women’s health charity after a backlash over the appointment - including from some MPs

Steph Richards confirmed that she has left the voluntary position with Endometriosis South Coast after public criticism of her role.

Posting on X, Ms Richards wrote: “I would like to confirm that I have recently stepped down from my role as Parliamentary Advisor to Endometriosis South Coast.

“It was not a decision taken lightly, but one I believe is in the best interests of myself, the charity, and the vital work it does in supporting those living with endometriosis. I wish the organisation and everyone it serves well.”

In a further statement, Ms Richards – who was founder and former CEO of Translucent, which describes itself as “a trans-led advocacy and human rights organisation working for the transgender and gender-diverse community in the UK” – said she was now working “closely” with Women’s Action Network Portsmouth (WANP).

Among those who had criticised the appointment was Reform’s spokeswoman for education, skills and equalities and MP for Fareham and Waterlooville Suella Braverman, who wrote to the charity last month asking for it to reconsider Ms Richards’ role.

She wrote: “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.”

Ms Braverman also posed on X: “With respect to him, this person is a man. I have no problem with what he wears or what he does in private. But he is a man. And it is not transphobic to say so. It is insulting and inappropriate to the 1.5 million women who suffer with endometriosis for him to have been appointed to speak for them.”

Confirming the move, the charity said in a statement: “Endometriosis South Coast can confirm that Steph Richards has stepped down from her voluntary role as Parliamentary Advisor to the charity. We wish her well and thank her for her contribution to our work.”

Endometriosis South Coast was founded in 2019 by Jodie Hughes, from Havant.

According to the NHS website, endometriosis “is where cells similar to those in the lining of the womb (uterus) grow in other parts of the body”.