PHOTOGRAPHY Alex Murphy
On Saturday, 19th April, more than 20,000 people gathered for a defiant display at Parliament Square, London and in 24 other cities across the UK following last week’s Supreme Court ruling that the legal definition of “woman” excludes transgender women.
While Lord Hodge said in his judgement that trans people were still protected from discrimination and harassment under the Equality Act, trans people are already victims of public hostility and harassment, and have expressed their concerns over same-sex police searches, single-sex hospital wards, and single-sex public bathrooms. Despite the palpable anxiety, the turnout across the UK is a reminder to all trans people that they are not alone, and that queer communities and allies are ready to stand with them.
There are a number of trans-led and trans-focused charities that BRICKS would like to spotlight to our readers are vitally in-need of support during this dangerous time for trans communities:
- Mermaids Gender – a charity supporting trans and gender-diverse children, young people and their families.
- Not A Phase – a trans-led, grassroots charity committed to uplifting and improving the lives of trans+ adults.
- TRUK Listens – a helpline for trans people who need someone to talk to, started by Trans Radio founders Avril and Lucy Clark.
- Spectra London– peer-led trans services accessible to all trans and gender-diverse people, including 1-2-1 health advocacy support and counselling, peer mentoring and monthly online and in-person social groups.
- Gendered Intelligence – a trans-led charity that aims to improve the lives of trans and non-binary people in the UK, specialising in supporting young people.
- We Exist London – a trans collective and mutual aid group based in London.
- Trans Actual – a trans-led and run organisation focused on healthcare and legal protections for trans people in the UK.
- Nutshell MHS – a UK charity offering mental health support to the family members of trans and non-binary people.
Responding to the ruling, Helen Belcher, Chair of TransActual, said: “Trans communities are devastated by today’s ruling. The Supreme Court chose not to hear from any trans people, preferring instead to listen to exclusionary groups. As a result, instead of bringing clarity, the Supreme Court has made a ruling which appears to contain a number of contradictions. Irrespective of the small print, the intent seems clear: to exclude trans people wholesale from participating in UK society. Today, we are feeling very excluded.”
In light of this ruling, a petition has been started advocating to “allow transgender people to self-identify their legal gender”, and has already amassed over 100,000 signatures. Additionally, an open letter has been created for British writers and media personnel to stand in solidarity with trans communities, and calling on their industries – theatre, film, TV, radio, literature and journalism – to do the same.
“As outlined by the Good Law Project, this Supreme Court hearing took place on shaky legal ground and without the involvement of any trans voices; they also noted that had any trans organisations been involved, they would likely have been faced with harassment and threats,” reads the open letter.
“The UK has become an increasingly hostile place for trans and non-binary people, with a 186% increase in hate crimes against trans people in the last five years. We are deeply concerned that this ruling will embolden a bigoted but powerful minority in their harassment of trans and non-binary people and attempts to hound gender non-conforming people out of public spaces. This will have consequences not just for trans people but for anyone who deviates from gender norms, making society less safe for everyone.
This Supreme Court ruling contributes to the erosion of the rights of marginalised LGBTQ+ communities globally. This has been seen recently in Uganda, Hungary and the US, to name only a few examples. Transparency International UK, which aims to fight corruption worldwide, warned two months ago about the impact of private donors’ influence in British politics, “with the US showing what could happen here if money in politics is left unchecked”.
Below, photographer Alex Murphy shares their photography from the trans rights protest held in London.
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