Liverpool mayor vows to remove anti-trans ‘women don’t have penises’ stickers

UPDATED | Mayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson has pledged to remove anti-trans “women don’t have penises” stickers, with the support of police, which have been seen in the Crosby Beach area.

Anderson vowed to take action after trans-exclusionary radical feminist (TERF) group Liverpool ReSisters posted a photos of the penis-shaped stickers on Twitter.

In one of Liverpool ReSisters’s posts, the stickers can be seen plastered across a tourist board and on a cast iron sculpture by Antony Gormley at Crosby Beach, which is part of his “Another Place” art installation.

Following Liverpool ReSisters’s posts, LGBT+ activist Adrian Harrop tweeted the Liverpool mayor, writing: “Are you aware of this group that are planning to plaster these stickers all over #Liverpool, in an attempt to scare and intimidate the #trans and broader #LGBTQ+ community? It’s disgusting behaviour that needs to be called out!”

Mayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson has said he will remove the anti-trans stickers if they appear around the city. (PAUL ELLIS/AFP/Getty Images)

Anderson re-tweeted Harrop’s post and responded: “I am not aware of the group, we will remove stickers and work with the Police to identify those responsible. Remember though,Liverpool takes #PRIDE in its diversity and history of fighting for equality for all, we love all our Trans residents and all our LGBT community.”

A Merseyside Police spokesperson confirmed that the force is investigating the distribution of the anti-trans stickers, telling PinkNews: “We can confirm we are aware of this matter and enquiries are being made.”

It comes after trans campaigners recently criticised anti-trans “bigots” when a number of phallus-shaped “women don’t have penises” stickers were found across London, including on Stonewall’s office building.

Responding to the Liverpool mayor’s pledge, Owl, a non-binary trans activist and filmmaker, told PinkNews: “It is good to see that the mayor is taking a clear stance against the divisive and misguided action of a small but vocal hate group.

“People might not consider some stickers serious, but they are a part of a bigger context and a pattern of transphobia that has risen exponentially for the last year.

“Transphobic groups are taking action, and are constantly getting a platform in the media to spread misinformation and incite discrimination against a vulnerable group of people. We need our allies to stand up for us and condemn these constant attacks against the trans community.”

I am not aware of the group, we will remove stickers and work with the Police to identify those responsible. Remember though,Liverpool takes #PRIDE in its diversity and history of fighting for equality for all, we love all our Trans residents and all our LGBT community https://t.co/YJdsA6uXXo

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