Latest news with #ResistingTransphobia
The Herald Scotland
24-04-2025
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
Trans protest to be held in Birmingham following rallies in London and Edinburgh
It means that trans women cannot use single-sex female toilets, changing rooms or compete in women's sports, according to the head of Britain's equalities watchdog. Organisers of the Birmingham rally said the demonstration will aim to show solidarity with those affected by the ruling, which they say has far-reaching implications for transgender people accessing single-sex services and spaces. People from trans rights groups and community organisations take part in a rally organised by Resisting Transphobia outside Queen Elizabeth House, the UK Government building in Edinburgh (Lesley Martin/PA) Brendan McPhillips, one of the organisers of the event, said the city would be presenting a 'united front against hatred and discrimination'. He said: 'This protest is set against the historic backdrop of the gay panic, the lives lost to the AIDS crisis, and reminiscent of the fights from yesteryear that only yester-queers will fully understand. We have seen this hate before and now we must stand united against it once again. 'We stand in a united front, united with a single, common goal; for the BIPOC (black, Indigenous and people of colour), Asian, white, brown, black, Irish traveller and Romani trans, non-binary and intersex voices that have been ignored for too long.' Among the groups supporting the protest, which will be held at 6pm in front of the Birmingham HIV and Aids Memorial in Hurst Street, are Brum Against Hate, the Birmingham LGBT centre and trade unions including Unison and the National Education Union. Graffiti left on a statue of Jan Christian Smuts in Parliament Square, London (Andrew Matthews/PA) Thousands of supporters gathered in central London on Saturday for what was billed as an 'emergency demonstration' in response to the Supreme Court's ruling. The Metropolitan Police said it is examining footage from the event amid claims some demonstrators had placards featuring death threats. It is also appealing for witnesses after seven statues were vandalised during the protest. 'Fag rights' and a heart were painted on the banner held on the statue of suffragist Millicent Fawcett, and 'trans rights are human rights' was sprayed on the pedestal bearing a memorial to South African military leader and statesman Jan Christian Smuts.
Yahoo
20-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Hundreds of protestors march on Edinburgh after controversial court ruling
Hundreds of protestors marched on the capital this weekend in response to a controversial Supreme Court ruling. The court ruled on Wednesday, April 16 that the term "woman" when used in the Equality Act 2010 is limited to biological women, and "sex" is defined as biological sex. It also limits access to certain "women-only" spaces or services if an individual was assigned the male gender at birth. READ MORE: Brave Edinburgh woman gets justice years after attack by her friend's boyfriend READ MORE: Owner of much-loved Edinburgh patisserie announces sad closure with 'heavy heart' A massive gathering was held in Edinburgh on Saturday, April 19 in protest of the decision, drawing individuals from across the UK who wanted their voices heard. One trans woman who spoke to Edinburgh Live called the decision a "giant step backwards for trans rights". Photos from the event show hundreds of protestors gathered outside the UK Government building on Sibbald Walk in centre city. Other images show crowds outside the National Gallery with some holding trans flags. Emma Davis, 34, a trans woman from Durham, travelled up to Edinburgh for the protest. She told Edinburgh Live: "The Supreme Court ruling this week has sent shockwaves of fear through the trans community. All of my friends are angry and upset, but mainly terrified. "All we want is to live our authentic lives, with adequate access to gender-related health care, and our gender identities properly recognised and protected under the law. "This ruling is a giant step backwards for trans rights - I don't want to risk getting a criminal record every time I need the toilet, never mind the risk of verbal and physical assault because someone thinks I don't look feminine enough to be using a women's bathroom. "This ruling not only hurts all trans and non-binary people, it also hurts any cis women who don't meet typical feminine beauty standards." Lydia Jones, 32, was in Edinburgh visiting from the West Midlands and decided to join the protest. She shared: "As a cis woman, when I heard about the ruling of the Supreme Court I was shocked because I've never found sharing space with trans women an issue. I feel like there are so many other things that matter to me as a woman that this time, effort and money could have been better spent on such as chronically underfunded sexual violence services and improving sexual violence conviction rates. "I don't see how creating more hostility to an already marginalised group of people helps anyone. However, it was so amazing to see such a huge turnout in Edinburgh and so much solidarity. " Josie Giles, a Leith-based writer who is involved with Resisting Transphobia in Edinburgh, said: 'Today proved the enormous power of trans people's collective organising. Together we have all the strength and skills we need to fight the powers that seek to exclude trans women from public life, and to seize what all oppressed people need: food, housing, medicine and a joyful life. Our liberation is workers' liberation and women's liberation. And trans people said it loud: Free Palestine!' Join Edinburgh Live's Whatsapp Community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages.
The Independent
19-04-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Thousands of trans rights protesters on Edinburgh streets following court ruling
Thousands of trans rights protesters have taken to the streets of Edinburgh following the recent Supreme Court ruling on the legal definition of a woman. Demonstrators waved flags and signs and chanted slogans in the spring sunshine as they gathered at the foot of the Mound, in the heart of the Scottish capital, before marching to the UK Government offices at Queen Elizabeth House. Speakers addressed the crowd using megaphones, and led the demonstrators in chants that included 'Trans rights are human rights' and 'When trans rights are under attack, what do we do? Fight back'. Meanwhile members of the crowd waved placards emblazoned with slogans including 'Trans women are women', ' Autonomy for every body', and 'One is not born but rather becomes a woman'. The rally and march was organised by Resisting Transphobia, and took place alongside similar events elsewhere in the country on Saturday. Lauren Yeoman, 38, said she was taking part in the demonstration because she was 'disgusted' at what she said amounted to the removal of trans people's human rights. Describing how she felt when she learned of the Supreme Court ruling she said: 'I felt sick to be honest. I think we're taking a lot of backward steps. 'It feels like every day women are being attacked, minorities are being attacked, and the real problem is being ignored, and we're pointing fingers at people who aren't harming anybody, such as trans people, while ignoring the real problems.' She added: 'Look at the real problems. It's not trans people. Show me figures that show trans people are a danger to us, because I don't think there are any.' Katelyn Collins, 44, said she was taking part in the march to give 'moral support, emotional support' to other transgender people. She said of the ruling: 'I found it shocking, the fact that they're picking on us, and it should not happen. 'I was disgraced with it but it didn't bring me down, because I'm proud to be who I am.' She called on those in power to: 'Let people be. Let people live who they want to be, let people be who they want to be. Life's far too short.' 68-year-old Tirion Dickson attended the march holding a sign reading 'Grans for trans', which she explained had been made for her by her daughter-in-law. The retired NHS worker said she was taking part to 'give support' to the trans community, and said people of her generation should 'know better'. 'I hope in my lifetime that this group of people will be as accepted as other minority groups have been over time since the 1960s,' she said. 'I just really would say to people 'why spread hatred?'. They are lovely people. They're gentle, lovely people and I don't see any need to hate them. 'I don't see any threat to women whatsoever, they're a group of vulnerable people, they constitute 0.01(%) of the population, so what is the problem?' Meanwhile Brianna Burt, 34, said she was taking part because she was 'enraged' at the Supreme Court ruling, which she said would harm the rights of 'all minority groups'. 'Trans women are women, and I'm enraged at the ruling by the Supreme Court, and I want to make sure that the media is covering it accurately because the coverage so far has been atrocious,' she said. She added: '(The) future rights of all women and all minority groups is in jeopardy and we need to speak up about it and get the media to cover it properly.' The demonstration came after Wednesday's ruling by the UK's highest court, which confirmed the terms 'woman' and 'sex' in the 2010 Equality Act 'refer to a biological woman and biological sex'. This means transgender women with a gender recognition certificate can be excluded from single-sex spaces if 'proportionate'.
Yahoo
19-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Thousands of trans rights protesters on Edinburgh streets following court ruling
Thousands of trans rights protesters have taken to the streets of Edinburgh following the recent Supreme Court ruling on the legal definition of a woman. Demonstrators waved flags and signs and chanted slogans in the spring sunshine as they gathered at the foot of the Mound, in the heart of the Scottish capital, before marching to the UK Government offices at Queen Elizabeth House. Speakers addressed the crowd using megaphones, and led the demonstrators in chants that included 'Trans rights are human rights' and 'When trans rights are under attack, what do we do? Fight back'. Meanwhile members of the crowd waved placards emblazoned with slogans including 'Trans women are women', 'Autonomy for every body', and 'One is not born but rather becomes a woman'. The rally and march was organised by Resisting Transphobia, and took place alongside similar events elsewhere in the country on Saturday. Lauren Yeoman, 38, said she was taking part in the demonstration because she was 'disgusted' at what she said amounted to the removal of trans people's human rights. Describing how she felt when she learned of the Supreme Court ruling she said: 'I felt sick to be honest. I think we're taking a lot of backward steps. 'It feels like every day women are being attacked, minorities are being attacked, and the real problem is being ignored, and we're pointing fingers at people who aren't harming anybody, such as trans people, while ignoring the real problems.' She added: 'Look at the real problems. It's not trans people. Show me figures that show trans people are a danger to us, because I don't think there are any.' Katelyn Collins, 44, said she was taking part in the march to give 'moral support, emotional support' to other transgender people. She said of the ruling: 'I found it shocking, the fact that they're picking on us, and it should not happen. 'I was disgraced with it but it didn't bring me down, because I'm proud to be who I am.' She called on those in power to: 'Let people be. Let people live who they want to be, let people be who they want to be. Life's far too short.' 68-year-old Tirion Dickson attended the march holding a sign reading 'Grans for trans', which she explained had been made for her by her daughter-in-law. The retired NHS worker said she was taking part to 'give support' to the trans community, and said people of her generation should 'know better'. 'I hope in my lifetime that this group of people will be as accepted as other minority groups have been over time since the 1960s,' she said. 'I just really would say to people 'why spread hatred?'. They are lovely people. They're gentle, lovely people and I don't see any need to hate them. 'I don't see any threat to women whatsoever, they're a group of vulnerable people, they constitute 0.01(%) of the population, so what is the problem?' Meanwhile Brianna Burt, 34, said she was taking part because she was 'enraged' at the Supreme Court ruling, which she said would harm the rights of 'all minority groups'. 'Trans women are women, and I'm enraged at the ruling by the Supreme Court, and I want to make sure that the media is covering it accurately because the coverage so far has been atrocious,' she said. She added: '(The) future rights of all women and all minority groups is in jeopardy and we need to speak up about it and get the media to cover it properly.' The demonstration came after Wednesday's ruling by the UK's highest court, which confirmed the terms 'woman' and 'sex' in the 2010 Equality Act 'refer to a biological woman and biological sex'. This means transgender women with a gender recognition certificate can be excluded from single-sex spaces if 'proportionate'.
Sky News
19-04-2025
- Politics
- Sky News
Thousands of trans rights activists gather in London after Supreme Court ruling on definition of a woman
Thousands of trans rights activists have been demonstrating in central London days after the Supreme Court ruled the legal definition of a woman is based on biological sex. Trans rights groups, trade unions and community organisations came together for what was billed as an "emergency demonstration" in Parliament Square in Westminster. Activists demanded "trans liberation" and "trans rights now", with some waving flags and holding banners. A rally and march organised by Resisting Transphobia was also taking place in Edinburgh on Saturday afternoon. In a long-awaited judgment delivered on Wednesday, the UK's highest court ruled the terms "woman" and "sex" in the Equality Act 2010 "refer to a biological woman and biological sex". It essentially means trans women who hold gender recognition certificates are not women in the eyes of the law. This means transgender women with one of the certificates can be excluded from single-sex spaces if "proportionate". Baroness Kishwer Falkner, chair of the UK's Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC), said on Thursday that the ruling means trans women can no longer take part in women's sport, while single-sex places, such as changing rooms, "must be based on biological sex". The UK government said the unanimous decision by five judges brought "clarity and confidence" for women and service providers. Meanwhile, a Labour Party source said Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer had brought the party to a "common sense position" on the subject from an "activist" stance. Among the groups supporting the London protest were Trans Kids Deserve Better, Pride In Labour, Front For The Liberation Of Intersex Non-binary And Transgender people (Flint) and TransActual. Keyne Walker, strategy director at TransActual, told Sky News the government needed to put equality laws back on a "sound footing". Speaking from Parliament Square, they said: "The mood is jubilant and also angry and also people are anxious... Right now trans people are coming together to demonstrate to the country, and to everybody else, that we're not going anywhere because we don't have anywhere to go... "Queer people have been through worse than this before, and... we'll suffer through whatever is to come in the next few years." The activist continued: "The government needs to immediately clarify how they are going to protect trans people and what this ruling actually means for spaces. "It does not bring clarity... businesses and venues at the moment don't know what they can and can't do... the government needs to step in and put equalities law back on a sound footing." It comes as Bridgerton actress Nicola Coughlan announced she has helped raise more than £100,000 for a trans rights charity following the Supreme Court decision. Following the ruling, the Irish star said she was "completely horrified" and "disgusted" by the ruling and added she would match donations up to £10,000 to transgender charity Not A Phase. The fundraiser has since raised £103,018, with a revised target of £110,000. 2:10 Why was the case heard in court? The Supreme Court ruling followed a long-running legal challenge which centred around how sex-based rights are applied through the UK-wide Equality Act 2010. The appeal case was brought against the Scottish government by campaign group For Women Scotland (FWS) following unsuccessful challenges at the Court of Session in Edinburgh. FWS called on the court to find sex an "immutable biological state", arguing sex-based protections should only apply to people born female. 1:41 The Scottish government argued the protections should also include transgender people with a gender recognition certificate (GRC). The Supreme Court judges were asked to rule on what the Equality Act 2010 means by "sex" - whether biological sex or "certificated" sex as legally defined by the 2004 Gender Recognition Act. Delivering the ruling at the London court on Wednesday, Lord Hodge said: "We counsel against reading this judgment as a triumph of one or more groups in our society at the expense of another. It is not. "The Equality Act 2010 gives transgender people protection, not only against discrimination through the protected characteristic of gender reassignment, but also against direct discrimination, indirect discrimination and harassment in substance in their acquired gender."
