Between July 2024 and May 2025, Labour’s share of lesbian, gay and bisexual voters plummeted from 42% to 25%
BY NIC CROSARA, IMAGE SUPPLIED
Labour has historically been a go-to party for many LGBTQIA+ voters. But there has been a noticeable shift in many queer and trans voters’ perceptions of the party. Between July 2024 and May 2025, Labour’s share of lesbian, gay and bisexual voters plummeted from 42% to 25%. This drop in support from LGBTQIA+ voters is likely partly due to the Equality and Human Rights Commission’s (EHRC) treatment of trans people following the UK Supreme Court ruling back in April. The EHRC’s proposed guidance on how institutions should respond to the ruling could lead to a mandatory exclusion of trans people from gendered spaces and services. Earlier this month, 650+ businesses – including Ben & Jerry’s, Lucy & Yak and Lush Cosmetics – signed a letter warning the government that this guidance is “unworkable”.
Back in June, trans advocacy group Trans+ Solidarity Alliance (TSA) organised a history-making mass lobby that saw 900+ trans people and their allies show up in Westminster to have their voices heard on the state of trans rights in this country. This made it the largest LGBTQIA+ lobby on record. And now, TSA has taken messages from the trans community and messages from inclusive businesses to the Labour Party’s annual conference in Liverpool. Attendees will not be able to miss the van parked outside it, nor its calls for action.
Trans+ Solidarity Alliance founder Jude Guaitamacchi said “Labour isn’t working for the LGBT+ community, with their vote share plummeting and a terrifying and unworkable bathroom ban on the horizon. We have come to their conference this year to share the stories of the real impact of the EHRC’s proposals to mandate trans exclusion.”
“The EHRC wants to ban trans people from gendered spaces and services, even when the provider and service users all want to remain inclusive. If Bridget Phillipson approves this, it would devastate trans people’s everyday lives, cause real economic damage and be totally unworkable for all of us – including the businesses and service providers told to implement it.”
“It would be Labour’s legacy on LGBT+ rights for a generation, but they can still stop it. They must act now to defend trans people’s human rights – standing up for Labour values and against those who seek to demonise minority groups for political ends.”
Love media made by and for LGBTQIA+ women and gender diverse people? Then you’ll love DIVA. We’ve been spotlighting the community for over 30 years. Here’s how you can get behind queer media and keep us going for another generation: ✨linkin.bio/ig-divamagazine ✨
