A women-only homeless shelter in London, operated by Glass Door, will admit biological males who identify as female into its single-sex facility, sparking outrage from critics who argue it jeopardises women’s safety. The Telegraph has the story.
For the first time this winter, Glass Door will provide a women-only shelter in recognition of the “growing numbers of homeless women” in London, it said.
The charity held its annual Sleep Out fundraiser in Duke of York Square in Chelsea on Friday and it hoped to raise £175,000 to finance its winter shelters.
But it has now emerged the shelter would be open to transgender women.
When asked by the Telegraph if trans women would be admitted, a Glass Door spokesman said: “In line with our Gender, Equality and Diversity policy any guest who identifies as a woman will be treated in line with their gender identity and will be eligible for a space in our women-only shelter dependent on availability.”
Women’s campaigners have lambasted the “cruel” decision and demanded it be reversed.
Helen Joyce, Director of Advocacy at Sex Matters, said: “A women’s shelter that accommodates men who identify as women ceases to be a women’s shelter.
Read more: Women-Only Homeless Shelter Agrees to Take in Trans People Who Self-Identify