“There is no dignity and respect in a bathroom ban, we now need real political leadership”
BY NIC CROSARA, IMAGE BY EHIMETALOR AKHERE UNUABONA
Today (25 June) between 1-4pm, trans advocacy group Trans+ Solidarity Alliance has organised a groundbreaking mass lobby to take place in parliament. Hundreds of trans+ people and our allies are expected to gather to directly challenge politicians and demand better for the trans+ community against the EHRC (the Equalities and Human Rights Commission) guidance following the recent UK Supreme Court ruling on trans rights and the EHRC’s proposed bathroom ban.
The attendees have travelled from all over the country and are expected to pack parliment’s Westminster Hall at this lobbying event set to take place shortly before the EHRC closes its consultation on the draft guidance.
Trans+ Solidarity Alliance founder Jude Guaitamacchi has said: “We are going to parliament to tell politicians that – if this bathroom ban becomes law – it will have a devastating impact on the day-to-day lives of trans and gender non-conforming people and make the UK a global outlier on LGBT+ rights. The EHRC’s proposals would force workers in shops and pubs to become ‘gender police’ – told to demand birth certificates from anybody that they think doesn’t fit gender stereotypes – and require major facilities changes at great expense for businesses across the country. Politicians must act to prevent trans people like me from becoming second-class citizens and this is our chance to call for meaningful action to resolve the current human rights crisis. There is no dignity and respect in a bathroom ban, we now need real political leadership.”
The lobby has gained the attention of singer Kate Nash – who recently released an anti-transphobia anthem GERM – who is said to be attending today’s lobby. She has said: “These proposals would be devastating to trans lives, and it’s time for all of us to stand up in the UK and across the world against anti-trans hate and division. Transphobia is not feminism. Trans inclusive feminism is the only path forward & we mustn’t let these fringe views become the mainstream. Trans people need protection, rights and healthcare from the UK government. Trans people are not a threat, but are people living their lives like you and me. We don’t want this in our country, trans people are loved, and I’m going to parliament to tell politicians this cannot stand – they can’t scare us away. We will be heard.”
Over 1,400 people have contacted their MP, and over 100 MPs have agreed to meet with constituents – this all means that today’s lobby is set to be the UK’s largest mass lobby on LGBTQIA+ rights since the fight against Section 28 in the 1980s, and will be the largest gathering of trans+ people in parliment’s history.
With the trans+ community making up less than 1% of the UK population, many MPs will have never, knowingly, met any of their trans constituents, so participants are hoping to show them the devastating human impact of this proposed policy.
If the EHRC’s guidance comes into action, it would enforce blanket bans on trans people from everyday spaces like toilets, changing rooms and prevent all women’s, men’s and gay and lesbian services and associations from being trans-inclusive.
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