LONDON, Feb 21 (Openly) - The head of Britain's leading LGBT+ rights group, Stonewall, said on Thursday that she was stepping down after a tenure marked by debates that have "not always been a comfortable conversation" as transgender rights took greater prominence.

Ruth Hunt has been with gay and transgender lobby group Stonewall for 14 years and chief executive since 2014. She will step down in August with her replacement yet to be announced.

Her decision to leave comes at a time when Stonewall has faced increasing criticism for the group's decision to lobby more for trans rights alongside its fight for lesbian, gay and bisexual equality.

"Recognising the diverse experiences and needs within LGBT communities ... has not always been a comfortable conversation for Stonewall to have but it has been a vital one," Hunt, 38, said in a statement.

"Expanding our work to ensure we are more closely speaking alongside and sharing power with these communities is a journey we are still on."

Stonewall's message has been clear: "Trans women are women."

But many feminists believe hard-won rights for women should remain ring-fenced for those born into that gender, pitting former allies against each other in the battle for rights. Read more via Openly