The below letter was submitted today (31 July 2020) to the BBC on behalf of the UK’s leading LGBTQ+ organisations. We are calling, in one voice, for a full and transparent explanation as to why trans organisations were removed from the BBC’s former ‘Gender Identity’ page. Currently, no trans organisations covering England, Scotland and Wales are included in the new ‘LGBT Issues‘ page. Those wishing to add their voice to this complaint can do so here. To: BBC Editorial Policy Department Cc: David Jordan, Director of Editorial Policy and standards; Tim Davie, incoming Director General; Baron Hall of Birkenhead, Director…
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We’ve decided to get together with some of our parents and look at a common question being discussed online: Are kids being identified as trans because of the toys they play with or the clothes they like to wear? The answer, of course is, ‘no’. Children play with all sorts of toys and that doesn’t mean for a second they’re transgender. The same goes – of course – for clothing. Nonetheless, some people do still believe that parents are basing their understanding of their child’s gender identity on clothes and toys and it’s important we address such a common misconception….
After a period of considerable anxiety and uncertainty, we are pleased that the Minister for Women and Equalities has stated unequivocally that her department will not be rolling back the rights of trans people. However, the Gender Recognition Act consultation was intended to improve the lives of trans people, never to regress their rights, and it is a sad reflection that three years of anguish, delays and assurances have so far achieved nothing more than a promise things won’t get worse. We call on the Government to publish in full the response to the Gender Recognition Act consultation for England…
Photography by Julia Forsman In a recent twitter post, the children’s author J. K. Rowling stated an apparent concern that some gay people are being ‘turned’ transgender by homophobes via an unidentified process of conversion therapy. This suggestion has caused great offence to parents already doing everything they can to support their trans child in the face of constant threats, ridicule and misinformation from those who have never experienced trans parenthood themselves. If you’re a parent of a trans child and would like to share your story, click here. We hope J.K. Rowling and those supporting her will take notice…
Susan’s Story I wanted to help other young people to access and benefit from the support of Mermaids in a way which my own family didn’t have when we needed support. Six days before the date of the London Marathon, I saw details of the 2.6 Challenge organizers had set up to replace the event which, of course, couldn’t happen this year due to the pandemic. I would never normally contemplate taking part in the Marathon, but they’d suggested socially-distanced events such as running round your garden for 2.6 miles, or 26 times. That made me decide I’d raise money…
As the weather gets warmer, people wearing binders need to be careful in the heat. We’ve put together a few tips to help you stay safe and comfortable. 1. You shouldn’t wear your binder for more than 8 hours, but when the weather is warmer, it’s a good idea to wear your binder for as little time as possible. As we’re spending more time indoors, try only wearing your binder when you go out. 2. Staying hydrated has never been more important. When wearing your binder in warm weather you will sweat more than usual. It’s…
Please take the time to read and share and write to your MP If we legislate to police gender in toilets, then how and at what point do we decide who is and isn’t a woman? According to a national newspaper today, Boris Johnson’s government is preparing to scrap a review of the Gender Recognition Act; a review which was commissioned by Theresa May because the current system for trans people is costly, lengthy, humiliating and unnecessary. The newspaper report suggests that the government is preparing to set out new ‘safeguards’ to protect female-only spaces including refuges and public lavatories….
Dear J.K. Rowling, We would like to begin by offering our solidarity with you as a survivor of domestic and sexual abuse. Reading your moving and honest account, we felt a connection to your pain. That connection exists between us, regardless of any differences we may have around gender identity. Writing those passages must have been very difficult for you and the subsequent front-page headline in a tabloid newspaper was nothing short of deplorable. As a trans charity, our staff and volunteers deal with cases of domestic abuse regularly and we hold unquestioning solidarity with all survivors of domestic violence….
How the star of the Harry Potter films helped our trans social media manager overcome that blog post. I’m sitting on my Slytherin bed sheets feeling gutted. This isn’t the first time I’ve experienced what feels to me like transphobia. It’s not the first time someone’s let me down by saying things that seem to deny who I am, and it certainly won’t be the last time I’m hurt by someone I thought was my friend. I’m Jake and I’m a non-binary muggle. I came to terms with my identity when I was 17, at a time when toxic trans…
It would be an extraordinary move for the Minister for Women and Equalities to support the introduction of a new form of inequality into British medical practice. Today, the Minister for Women and Equalities, Liz Truss MP gave evidence to the Women and Equalities Select Committee and set out her priorities for the Government Equalities Office. Ms Truss stated that “the protection of single-sex spaces…is extremely important.” We hope Ms Truss agrees that her brief as Minister for Women and Equalities includes, without question, transgender women. We agree with Ms Truss that single-sex spaces must be protected for everyone, including…