By Sophie Molly
Let Women Speak (LWS) has planned a rally to take place in Aberdeen this coming Saturday for International Women’s Day. LWS is a well-known UK-based gender-critical group. On their website, they describe themselves as “a global constituency of women.” The group is led by anti-trans activist Kellie-Jay Keen, also known as Posie Parker. She has famously stated that women who stand in her way will be “annihilated.’’
Both LWS and Posie Parker have a history of harassing trans people and other minorities. Back in 2019, at Capitol Hill, Parker aggressively confronted now U.S. representative Sarah McBride, misgendering her multiple times. McBride was targeted by her for being a trans woman in politics.
In 2018, the women’s group, Women’s Place UK, distanced themselves from Parker over her pejorative remarks about Muslim communities. The group stated that the comments go against their “campaign principles of antiracism and opposition to all forms of discrimination.”
Posie Parker has been criticized for using a Barbie doll wearing a Nazi uniform as her profile picture on the social media site Spinster.
Previous LWS rallies have made the news because of their association with far-right people and groups. In 2023, during a rally in Newcastle, a gender-critical activist quoted from Adolf Hitler’s Mein Kampf. Calling trans people “a big lie,” which is a play on Hitler’s antisemitic propaganda.
In March 2023, a group of young men wearing symbols of the far-right ultra-nationalist groups Azov Battalion and the Boogaloo Boys flashed Nazi salutes at an LWS rally in Auckland, New Zealand. The Boogaloo Boys were involved in the violent January 6th storming of Capitol Hill. The young men are thought to be part of an emerging group of neo-Nazis.
LWS links to far-right hate groups make their visit to Aberdeen a threat to the safety and well-being of not just the LGBTQIA+ community but all city residents. Aberdeen-based LGBTQIA+ charity Four Pillars is providing a safe space all day Saturday for people to escape the hate of LWS. Four Pillars manager Deejay Whittingham says TERF colours of green and purple will not be allowed in the venue. This is to help prevent gender-critical people from entering the space.
The LWS rally is scheduled to take place outside Marischal College between 1pm and 3pm, with members of LWS remaining in the city for an evening of comedy and a TERFisco. The rally is likely to be countered by local activists from the city and beyond. Counter protests by trans people and their allies have previously involved singing, chanting, and dancing to drown out the speakers.
About the Author
Sophie Molly is a dedicated political activist and intersectional feminist committed to advancing policies that promote inclusivity and equality. Sophie’s work emphasizes the importance of recognizing interconnected forms of oppression and advocating for comprehensive solutions that benefit all individuals, regardless of gender identity.
