Gendered Intelligence, Ozanne Foundation, Mermaids and UK Black Pride are just some of the many organisations who have taken collective action against the Safe To Be Me conference
BY NIC CROSARA, IMAGE BY NORBU GYACHUNG VIA UNSPLASH
Last week it was revealed that the UK government planned to scrap legislation outlawing conversion practices. Following outrage from the LGBTQI community and our allies, Boris Johnson quickly back tracked and decided to move forward with the “ban” on “conversion therapy”, however trans people would be excluded from the equation.
The upcoming Safe To Be Me: A Global Equality Conference is set to take place this June to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the first official London Pride marches. On the topic, Minister for Women And Equalities, Liz Truss has said “I want everyone to be able to live their life free from prejudice, malice, or violence, regardless of their background or who they choose to love.” Unfortunately these words do not match the government’s treatment of our community.
Following the government’s decision to not protect trans people with the “ban”, Stonewall and over 80 LGBTQI and HIV organisations are refusing to be involved with the conference. The LGBT+ Consortium, an umbrella group for LGBTQI organisations across the UK, shared Stonewall’s statement:
“Due to the Prime Minister’s broken promise on protecting trans people from the harms of Conversion Therapy, we regret that we are withdrawing Stonewall’s support for the UK Government’s Safe To Be Me conference. We will only be able to participate if the Prime Minister reverts to his promise for a trans-inclusive ban on conversion therapy.”
“…However, last week’s leaked plans, which revealed Number 10 planned to scrap the conversion therapy ban, has left us with no choice but to withdraw our support. That the Prime Minister would so casually walk away from four years of promises to the LGBTQ+ community is appalling, and we cannot in good conscience back Safe To Be Me at a time when our community’s trust in the UK Government is shattered.”
“…It is apparent that trans people have once again been sacrificed for political gain. Commissioning a separate body of work to unpick something that has already been resolved many times the world over, can only be read as an attempt to kick the issue of protecting trans people into the long grass. This is callous and unacceptable.”
“Conversion therapy is happening to LGBTQ+ people in the UK right now, and every day without a ban is a day where LGBTQ+ people remain at risk of lifelong harm. Trans people are amongst the highest risk groups in our community – the latest research from Galop shows that 11% of trans people have been subjected to conversion practices by their own families.”
“Trans people are no less worth of respect, care and protection than cis lesbian, gay and bi people. If the UK Government cannot stand behind and respect all LGBTQ+ people’s fundamental human rights, it should not be convening an LGBTQ+ rights conference on the global stage.”
Organisations such as Biscuit, Gendered Intelligence, Just Like Us, Lesbians And Gays Support The Migrants, Ozanne Foundation, Pink Therapy, Mermaids and UK Black Pride are just some of the many who have taken collective action.
Kaleidoscope Trust stands in solidarity with our trans siblings in the UK and around the world. As such, we are withdrawing our support of #SafetoBeMe2022.
— Kaleidoscope Trust (@Kaleidoscope_T) April 4, 2022
The UK Government must ensure that *all* LGBT+ people in the UK are free from violence, discrimination and persecution. pic.twitter.com/tQ83jjeuaI
The response from the community has been incredible. Along with @stonewalluk, @LGBTConsortium, and the @BanCTorg coalition dozens of LGBTQ+ orgs, allies and corporate sponsors have joined the boycott.
— Gendered Intelligence (@Genderintell) April 4, 2022
It’s clear where the UK stands – and it’s not with Downing St. https://t.co/cpnnL6Kd4d
Thanks to this government’s actions, the UK is a very long way from being safe for trans and non-binary people.
— Mermaids (@Mermaids_Gender) April 4, 2022
You can stand with us by asking your MP to support a trans-inclusive ban on conversion “therapy”. (6/6)https://t.co/Sh66savT1b
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