How we started
Fair Play For Women began in 2017 as a small, informal women’s discussion group concerned about the impact of transgender policy on the participation of women and girls in sport, with a diverse membership of women from all walks of life. As time went on, the discussion topics expanded to include the many different ways women and girls were being forgotten when new policies were being created for trans-inclusion. Soon a informal blogging website site was created to be a open public platform for anyone to contribute their opinions and concerns, looking at a range of issues from various perspectives.
Having previously submitted an article to the blogging website in October 2017, in January 2018 Dr Nicola Williams became our director and official campaign spokeswoman and the current incarnation of Fair Play For Women was born.
Under this new direction, Fair Play For Women has emerged into the national stage as a trusted and influential campaign group, that’s built a national network of supporters, and has, at its heart, a team of experts in science and law.
While Fair Play For Women has grown significantly since its informal beginnings, we are still funded entirely from small donations from the public and we rely on the hard work of volunteers. We have no political, ideological, or religious affiliation; instead we are united by the common aim of defending the existing sex-based rights of women and girls.
What we’ve achieved
Uncovered the issue of trans-identifying male prisoners in women’s prisons in 2017
Generated 18% of all responses to the government consultation on GRA Reform in 2018 (second only to Stonewall, with its millions of pounds)
Discovered that half of all trans-identifying male prisoners have convictions for violent or sexual offences, in 2018
Obtained the first personal reports from women imprisoned with trans-identifying males in 2020, ultimately leading to the judicial review of transgender prisoner policy in the high court in 2021
Revealed how transgender prisoner policy failed to consider the impact on women prisoners or staff
Successfully challenged the Office for National Statistics in the high court in March 2021, forcing it to change the guidance on the sex question in the 2021 Census
Regularly challenge misleading media reports representing typically male crimes, such as violent or sexual assault and child sexual abuse, as being committed by women.
Consulted on sport policy by national and international sports bodies including the International Olympic Committee, World Athletics, World Rugby, England Rugby, Wales Rugby, Sport England, and UK Sport.
Called upon for expert scientific and legal input on issues relating to sex-based rights, especially sport, prisons, language and data, in national and regional media including BBC TV and radio, Sky News, GB News, national newspapers, and radio in the USA, Australia and elsewhere.
Read our 2021 review
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