A group of publications for queer women is speaking out against anti-trans rhetoric in media.

The editors of many of the world's top publications for lesbian, bi, and queer women released a letter Tuesday with an "unapologetic message of support and solidarity to the trans community." "DIVA, Curve, Autostraddle, LOTL, Tagg and Lez Spread The Word believe that trans women are women and that trans people belong in our community," the letter states. "We do not think supporting trans women erases our lesbian identities; rather we are enriched by trans friends and lovers, parents, children, colleagues and siblings." The letter is signed by the editors, publishers, and founders of the listed publications. It's a strong message of solidarity from the biggest names in queer women's media, but it didn't come out of nowhere. Although the website is not named directly, AfterEllen has recently come under fire for articles and tweets with anti-trans rhetoric.

Not in our name: Leading lesbian, bi and queer media unite to send a message of solidarity to the trans community #LwiththeT @autostraddle @LezSTW @TaggMagazine @TheRealCurve @LOTLmagazine

For 14 years, AfterEllen was a queer-owned-and-operated platform for entertainment and lifestyle news directed at LGBT women. The site is not associated with Ellen DeGeneres. In 2014, it was sold to Evolve Media. According to a note posted by former editor-in-chief Trish Bendix, the staff was given two years to improve AfterEllen's profitability. In 2016, Bendix and other staffers were ousted by Evolve, and many of the site's mainstay writers left with them in solidarity. Evolve then hired Memoree Joelle to lead the site in November 2016. Since then, there's been a shift in AfterEllen's tone. Neither Joelle nor Evolve has responded to requests for comment from BuzzFeed News. It started with small mentions, like articles that perpetuated the anti-trans myth that trans women are trying to force lesbian-identified women to sleep with trans women who haven't had bottom surgery. That's a common refrain from a minority of lesbians who do not see trans women as valid or as able to identify as lesbians. There have also been several articles in this vein on AfterEllen, such as one defending the exclusion of trans women from a women's music festival, or another that was critical of trans inclusion in lesbian spaces. One recent article, written by Miranda Yardley, who identifies as transsexual, decries what she calls the "anti-lesbian idea which had wedged itself into the heart of transgender ideology." More publicly, this tweet set off a firestorm:

Dear Trans Women, Stop Pushing “Girl Dick” On Lesbians https://t.co/ufF5Oanyaj via @YouTube

The tweet was a link to a video by lesbian YouTuber Arielle Scarcella, titled "Dear Trans Women, Stop Pushing 'Girl Dick' On Lesbians." The tweet quickly received a slew of replies from LGBT women who believe trans women belong in their community, too.

@afterellen @YouTube You don’t represent me or my friends and your website is a sham

@afterellen @YouTube

@afterellen Can you stop pushing this harmful belief that trans women are trying to force cis women to sleep with them. it’s gross that a site for lesbians would would give an outspoken transmisogynist, an even bigger platform.

Although the letter from Diva, Curve, and others didn't specifically name AfterEllen, their target is pretty clear. "We strongly condemn writers and editors who seek to foster division and hate within the LGBTQI community with trans misogynistic content, and who believe 'lesbian' is an identity for them alone to define. We condemn male-owned media companies who profit from the traffic generated by these controversies," the letter states. "We also strongly condemn the current narrative peddled by some feminists, painting trans people as bullies and aggressors – one which reinforces transphobia and which must be challenged so that feminism can move forward." The letter goes on to say that the signed publications believe it is their responsibility "to call out scaremongering conspiracy theories leveled at the trans community." The letter comes not only after controversy at AfterEllen, but after Diva's publisher, Linda Riley, faced attacks for her support of the trans community. Diva is a UK-based monthly magazine, and Riley recently made an appearance on BBC Radio to discuss the Gender Recognition Act. She ended up debating an anti-trans opponent, and afterward her inbox and social media were flooded with abusive messages. "We knew it was coming. We were sort of steeling ourselves for it," Diva's editor, Carrie Lyell, told BuzzFeed News before the letter was issued. "A lot of the comments have been very personal, around her appearance and her working class background and her intelligence and things like that."

Diva