Labour for trans rights rally outside the Labour Party conference in Liverpool (Sophie Perry)
Dozens of transgender men and women and their supporters gathered outside the Labour Party conference in Liverpool, calling on Prime Minister Keir Starmer to put trans rights back on the agenda.
The rally, organised by Labour’s transgender rights committee, took place outdoors near the Arena Convention Centre, where Labour is holding its first annual conference since returning to power this week. Unionists, party members and MPs gave speeches.
Although Starmer had spoken of this as a “moment to reset” “toxic” narrative in his pre-election PinkNews pledge, Labour’s return to power was greeted with caution by members of the trans community, given the Conservative party’s long-standing anti-trans rhetoric and the party’s wavering on issues such as single-sex spaces and self-identification while in opposition at the time.
Just weeks after the July general election, Labour has declared an emergency Conservative Ban on the sale and supply of puberty blockers This came into force following the publication of the Cass report in April.
Health Minister Wes Streeting had previously said he regretted making the “transgender women are women” comment but defended the extension of the emergency ban, saying he was “determined to improve the quality of and access to care for transgender people” and that some public comments were “grossly irresponsible and can put vulnerable young people at risk”.
The decision sparked outrage from transgender people, activists and other Labour politicians, who saw it as a retreat from promises to “end the stigma” for transgender people.
Speaking at the rally, Nottingham East MP Nadia Whittome, who had already called on the party to tackle transphobia within it, said she had been disappointed by Labour’s first months in power.
“I don’t want to come to the end of next year and say it’s been another difficult year for transgender people,” she said. “I want to be able to say things are getting better and that we’re moving in the right direction, and I truly believe we can. That’s why I have to say I’m very disappointed with the start our government has made.”
“Young people and their families have told me how frightened they are by the Conservative government’s continued ban on puberty blockers. I don’t believe there is evidence to support a total ban, and I believe medical decisions should be made by medical experts, not politicians.”
She also criticised the Conservative party’s record on transgender rights and the rise of anti-transgender rhetoric in politics generally.
“In recent years, successive governments and politicians in this country have [on] Although this is a positive step for transgender people, [also] “It’s an infringement of existing rights,” she said.
“This country has been destroyed by the Conservative Party, and they have tried to distract from that destruction and divide us. [could] While they sought to maintain power, they fanned the flames of hatred against marginalized groups.
“It may feel like a lifetime, but it wasn’t that long ago that Prime Minister Theresa May promised to reform the Gender Recognition Act. I hope that we can once again build a consensus in this country that respects and supports transgender people, their rights and wellbeing.”
Ms Whittome added that leadership was needed to tackle transphobic rhetoric, and that the Government must reject a “toxic culture war” and recognise that “transgender people are human beings who want to live decent and fulfilling lives”.
Alex Sharilao, co-chair of Labour for Transgender Rights, told PinkNews after the rally that the Labour Party was “not where we want to be” for the community.
“It is painful to see how rampant transphobia is within the Labour Party,” they said, adding that the Government needs to listen to what trans rights advocates from Labour and the trans community at large have to say about a range of issues, including self-identification and a ban on puberty-blocking drugs, and “listen to what trans people need”.
Ms Charilau had a message for transgender Labour members and the community at large: “Don’t give up hope. These are tough times but there are many people both in the Labour Party and beyond who are not giving up hope.” [outside it] To those who love you and want transgender people to grow stronger. Things will get better.”
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Source: PinkNews | Latest lesbian, gay, bi and trans news | LGBTQ+ news – www.thepinknews.com
