Meeting with MP Richard Burgon

Great to catch up with Richard Burgon MP . We discussed conversion therapy, the EHRC, the government’s failed Safe To Be Me conference, and the escalating transphobia that trans people face daily.

Richard says, “The decision to not go ahead with a ban on trans conversion therapy is appalling. How on earth is this still legal in the 21st century?”

He adds, “It’s important people have hope. There is little difference between the transphobia we see today and the homophobia people experienced in the 80s. Bigotry has no place in the UK, and as long as there are people who will stand against it, we will build a world of equality, free from discrimination, prejudice and transphobia.

“Solidarity with trans people here in East Leeds, across the country and around the world.”

Majority Want Ban On Conversion Therapy

Recent YouGov poll shows the majority of the country want to see a ban on conversion therapy that includes protection for transgender people. This is true across the political spectrum, age groups, and between men and women.

Only 14% don’t want a ban, and less than a quarter are unsure.

This follows a petition urging the government to ban trans conversion therapy exceeding 120,000 signatures, meaning it will have to be considered for a debate in Parliament.

https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/613556

Meeting with West Yorkshire Deputy Mayor

Great catching up with Alison Lowe, Deputy Mayor of West Yorkshire.

Alison has long been an ally to the trans community. We discussed the sharp increase in transphobic hate crime and what we can be doing to help improve the lives of trans people in West Yorkshire.

Alison says, “It’s something that’s very close to my heart. I’ve worked alongside TransLeeds for around 10 years.

“I am really disappointed to see these figures, but not surprised.

“It’s become fashionable to be transphobic. There’s lots of negativity online and I think that’s driving some of these increases.

“It’s right that we see what we can do to support those communities more and better.”

Gov LGBT Conference Cancelled

The government’s first ever global LGBT+ conference, ironically named Safe To Be Me, has been cancelled. This is thanks to over 120 of the UK’s LGBT+ organisations pulling out of the event in response to the government’s disgraceful decision not to ban transgender conversion therapy. This left the event with no UK participants, no sponsors, and no credibility.

Safe To Be Me was set to be a huge event but from the beginning it has faced widespread criticism from the LGBT+ community who note the government’s poor record when it comes to LGBT+ equality.

For example:

* Cancelling their own LGBT+ Action Plan

* Ignoring the results of a consultation into the Gender Recognition Act and deciding not to go ahead with reforms.

* Disbanding their LGBT Advisory Panel.

* Perpetually delaying their promised ban on conversion therapy.

These are just a few examples. Meanwhile homophobic, and especially transphobic hate crime and inequality rises year on year. The LGBT+ community have told the government loud and clear that it is not Safe To Be Me and we will not allow them to pinkwash their own failings.

Massive thanks to every one of the organisations who spoke out. Here’s hoping that this embarrassment for the government could result in a change of direction.

#NotSafeToBeMe

Ban Trans Conversion Therapy

In case you missed it. Yesterday afternoon, on Trans Day of Visibility, a document from Downing Street was leaked that revealed the Prime Minister had decided not to go ahead with the promised ban on conversion therapy. This was originally promised in 2018 and the government has been delaying it ever since, despite public support for a complete ban. Number 10 confirmed the leak was accurate.

Less than 4 hours later, the Prime Minister u-turned on his u-turn, due to the backlash from Tory MPs. However, they now say that they will only ban gay conversion therapy, but will still allow trans conversion therapy.

This is disgraceful. They suggest the reason for this is that a ban on trans conversion therapy would make it impossible for gender questioning young people to receive support.

This is a weak strawman. There are clear and obvious differences between people receiving therapy or counselling in regards to their gender identity, and conversion therapy. And those are its intent, and its result.

The intent of counselling is to help support a young person in finding their own answers in regards to their gender identity, and to help them cope while they navigate this path.

The intent of conversion therapy is to lead young people down the path of desistance, or gaslight them into believing they are something they are not.

The former is a method of support that, importantly, is led by the young person.

The latter is torture. The government recognises it is an abhorrent practice, but is willing to allow trans young people to be victims of it.

You can help by emailing your MP through the link below and let them know this is unacceptable. There is no LGBT without the T.

https://www.banconversiontherapy.com/