Written by Paul Roberts OBE, CEO of LGBT Consortium and endorsed by Birmingham LGBT
Urgent and important call to action
As many of you will have seen, the Sunday Times reported that the UK Government Ministers for Women and Equalities, Liz Truss, is planning a series of policy changes that could make many LGBT+ people’s live much harder. We understand that much of this leak holds some truth.
A final decision has not yet been made so now is the time to act. Liz Truss is due to speak in Parliament about equalities this Wednesday morning (tomorrow!). Our Prime Minister is likely being asked to agree to the proposals now. If Boris doesn’t sign off on them, Liz Truss cannot go forward with them. We need every LGBT+ organisation, local ally organisations, and other supporter to do their part and engage with this call to action.
What might happen?
- Trans people could have their rights to access single-sex services curtailed, including trying to introduce a ban on trans women using women’s toilets
- Gender Recognition Act reform could be dropped
- It could become harder for trans young people to access healthcare
Why does this matter?
We know from looking at similar attempts at “Bathroom Bills” in North Carolina and Texas that exclusion of trans people from toilets is unworkable. Instead when these laws are passed, we all suffer. Who can do something as simple as using the toilet in a shopping centre comes down to whether you fit society’s gender norms. Whether you “look like a woman” or “look like a man”.
Gender non-conforming women, lesbians, trans people –all could be harmed. This will be worse for members of those groups who are Black or people of colour, or who are disabled. Gender norms so often imagine “real women” and “real men” as White, able-bodied, straight and cisgender (not trans).
We cannot let the UK Government make so many people’s lives harder. Anyone and everyone who doesn’t fit rigid gender norms should be safe and free to live their life in peace.
What should I do?
- URGENTLY call on Boris Johnson not to take forward any of Liz Truss’ proposals by tweeting @BorisJohnson @10DowningStreet and emailing via this web-form: https://email.number10.gov.uk/
- Write to your MP (even if you have done already!) and call on them to challenge the proposals
- Write to your employer asking for them to write to Boris to challenge these proposals and asserting their commitment to trans inclusion
- If you have children, write to your child’s school asking for them to write to their MP/Boris Johnson to challenge these proposals and asserting their commitment to trans inclusion
- Share and share again (copy and paste into your own post) and encourage your family members to step up too
Please take 10 minutes to engage with one or all of the above and help make enough noise to ensure these proposals do not materialise.
We’ve not got long to let him know how strongly we all feel. Please act now!
