Endometriosis South Coast, a charity dedicated to aiding women afflicted with endometriosis, has ignited a wave of online criticism following the appointment of a biological male as its CEO.
The charity disclosed on Sunday that Steph Richards, a biological male who identifies as a woman, will be assuming the role of CEO. Richards' Twitter profile, which includes the pronouns "she/her," features a pinned post stating, "Trans people are people: We are doctors, nurses, and teachers. We are lawyers, airline pilots and scientists. We are designers, artists and poets." His bio further describes him as an "Intersectional Feminist & Human Rights Activist" and a "Womens & LGBT Officer" for the UK's Labour Party.
Endometriosis, as defined by the World Health Organization, is a condition where tissue akin to the uterine lining grows outside the uterus, often leading to severe pain and fertility issues.
The charity's announcement graphic featured a quote saying, Isnt it ridiculous that Ive got to my 40s, before any medical professionals even mentioned endometriosis. Accompanied by a picture of Richards, this led some to mistakenly attribute the quote to the newly appointed CEO, who, being biologically male, cannot suffer from endometriosis. The charity later clarified that the quote was from "a person that our charity supports," not Richards.
The appointment of a male CEO for a charity that fundraises for a disease affecting over 10% of women has been met with widespread disapproval. One user questioned, Why has a male been appointed the CEO of a charity that is seeking to focus on a specific female health issues [sic]? They added, This seems like a total lapse in judgement that distracts from, and undermines, the important work which you do.
Another user, a long-time endometriosis sufferer, expressed disbelief at the appointment, stating, As a woman who suffered with endometriosis for decades, I simply cannot fathom why youd think this appointment is appropriate.
Richards has previously made contentious remarks, such as declaring in December 2022 that "child" is a "social construct" and endorsing puberty blockers as "safe and revisable medical treatment," despite growing evidence suggesting otherwise. He also asserted that endometriosis is "not just a womans issue," as it also affects "trans men."
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