Support group for transgender civil servants that likened women's rights ... trends now By Martin Bedford, Policy Editor Published: 00:13 BST, 1 April 2024 | Updated: 00:48 BST, 1 April 2024 Viewcomments A support group for transgender civil servants that has likened women's rights campaigners to the Ku Klux Klan has been handed tens of thousands of pounds of taxpayers' money. The staff network, known as a:gender, received £110,000 from the Home Office last year and another £80,000 from the Cabinet Office. It is also thought to have received funding from the Ministry of Defence, Department for Work and Pensions and HM Revenue and Customs. A:gender says its role is to help transgender and intersex civil servants flourish by offering advice and support. But critics say it also carries out 'inaccurate and divisive' training to Whitehall departments. A support group for transgender civil servants that has likened women's rights campaigners to the Ku Klux Klan has been handed tens of thousands of pounds of taxpayers' money. Pictured: A KKK march in Maryland in 1998 Last night Tory backbencher Nick Fletcher (pictured), who obtained the figures, said: 'Concerningly, we hear reports that these networks sometimes strive to influence policy advice given to ministers' Complaints about a:gender's training were made to Cabinet Secretary Simon Case (pictured) late last year by the civil service's sex equality and equity network There are now calls for all staff equalities networks to be stripped of their public funding. Last night Tory backbencher Nick Fletcher, who obtained the figures, said: 'Concerningly, we hear reports that these networks sometimes strive to influence policy advice given to ministers.' Complaints about a:gender's training were made to Cabinet Secretary Simon Case late last year by the civil service's sex equality and equity network [SEEN]. In an apparent allusion to the KKK, a:gender states: 'Racism won't come into your workplace as hoods and burning crosses but as 'nationalism' or 'patriotism'. Transphobia is the same: 'I'm just protecting women and girls'.' Share or comment on this article: Support group for transgender civil servants that likened women's rights campaigners to the Klu Klux Klan is handed £190,000 of taxpayers' money All rights reserved for this news site (dailymail) and under his responsibility