In solidarity with our trans & non-binary members
CW: transphobia, anti-trans violence
Dear network members,
We wanted to reach out in solidarity with our trans & non-binary members this morning to acknowledge the harmful impacts of the actions of the Prime Minister and other parliamentarians yesterday. Rishi Sunak’s hateful, transphobic comments are despicable. Once again witnessing political point scoring in the UK Parliament at the expense of trans people, made even more despicable and callous as the fact that murdered teenager Brianna Ghey’s mother was visiting parliament at the time, will have hit many of us hard.
But we shouldn’t need the presence of a grieving mother, nor another dead trans person, to make change. Our political opposition shouldn’t only call out transphobia when it suits them, and then continue to harm the rights and freedoms of trans people in this country and abroad.
It has, however, been pleasing to see support from people, particularly cis people who might be speaking out for the first time, across the country in response to this interaction in parliament. We also take this moment to acknowledge the people that have called out this hate speech, and who make continuing efforts to stand with trans people in the daily challenges faced in this country.
We encourage those of you who are not trans/non-binary to check in with your trans & non-binary friends & colleagues today. The repeated attacks on this community will be taking its toll. Be patient, remember people process trauma in their own way. If you want to reach out to the network please get in touch. There are also other resources available in the area through LGBT Health & Wellbeing, both their helpline: https://www.lgbthealth.org.uk/services-support/lgbt-helpline-scotland/ and specific trans support: https://www.lgbthealth.org.uk/services-support/trans/
We also acknowledge that these forms of support are not the only thing we need to do as a community to continue addressing this form of hate. The SPN will continue to work for trans equality & trans liberation tirelessly, and we welcome the contribution of ideas to help in this regard.
In solidarity,
Alex & Katie
Alex Morzeria-Davis (they/them) and Katie Nicoll Baines (she/her)
Co-Chairs, Staff Pride Network for LGBT+ Colleagues & Allies
