July 8th 2024.
The morning after the Labour party's landslide victory, I couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions. On one hand, I was overjoyed to see the Conservative party decimated. However, on the other hand, I couldn't help but feel a sense of uncertainty and pessimism about what this new government would do for the trans community and the wider LGBTQ+ community.
Upon examining their manifesto, it became clear that the party lacked a true dedication to improving my community. While they promised to completely ban conversion therapy and make hate crimes against LGBTQ+ people an aggravated offence, their plans seemed to overlook some of the biggest obstacles faced by trans individuals in the UK.
Their proposals for reforming the Gender Recognition Act were underwhelming and failed to address the most outdated aspects, such as removing the requirement for a medical diagnosis in order to obtain a Gender Recognition Certificate. They also failed to address the long waiting lists for trans-related medical care for adults and the current ban on puberty blockers for young people in England. Additionally, there was no mention of the rampant transphobia that permeates our media and politics, making our daily lives a constant struggle.
Even the previous Tory government, under Theresa May in 2017, had more progressive views on trans rights. She acknowledged that being trans is not an illness and proposed removing the need for a medical diagnosis altogether. However, instead of sparking positive change, her proposals only fueled anti-trans sentiments that have become increasingly toxic and hostile. Sadly, it seems that Labour has jumped on this bandwagon.
Meanwhile, many other European countries have made significant progress in legal gender recognition, often referred to as self-ID or self-declaration. Instead of looking towards these countries as models for progress, Labour appears to be stuck in the past.
To make matters worse, some Labour Party MPs have a history of making harmful comments about trans people, such as Rosie Duffield who has referred to trans women as "male-bodied biological men". Despite calls to remove her from the party, she remains an MP and was just re-elected in Canterbury.
Similarly, Shadow Health Secretary Wes Streeting has expressed support for "gender critical" beliefs and has even questioned the validity of trans identities. Even the party leader himself, Keir Starmer, has made offensive and cruel comments about trans rights, including backing proposals that would ban trans women from women's spaces, citing "common sense", and denying trans women the right to use women's spaces even with a Gender Recognition Certificate.
As a trans person who came out at 17 and has been living as myself for the majority of my life, I find the Labour Party's stance and statements dehumanizing and degrading. I have been using these spaces without issue for my entire adult life, and the thought of being forced to use male spaces again is not only absurd but also puts me at risk of violence and abuse.
It's disheartening to see that Labour seems to be unable to see the bigger picture and is consumed by anti-trans sentiments. They have the power to bring about meaningful change, but instead, they choose to entertain and repeat harmful rhetoric.
If Labour truly wants to make a difference for the trans community, they need to start listening to our experiences and stop perpetuating harmful beliefs. We don't need them to debate our existence or our rights. We need better healthcare, legal protections, and a commitment to eradicating prejudice and discrimination.
The choice is now in Labour's hands. They can either have a genuine conversation with the trans community and listen to us, or they can continue down the same path and be remembered as a party that failed to protect the most vulnerable. Only time will tell what their legacy will be.
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