Socialist Worker newspaper reports that on Saturday May 24th, people rallied in London over the latest directives from the Equalities and Human Rights Commission.
Up to 200 trans+ individuals and their allies gathered in Parliament Square on Saturday to voice opposition to the Equality and Human Rights Commission’s (EHRC) latest guidance. The Labour government has endorsed the new rules, which advise public bodies and organisations to exclude trans+ people from single-sex facilities.
The EHRC’s directive follows the Supreme Court’s decision last April, widely criticised as transphobic, which ruled that the legal definition of a woman under the Equality Act 2010 rests solely on “biological sex.”
Protesters Speak Out Against Politicians and Media
The demonstration evolved into a “speak out” event, where attendees took turns condemning politicians and the media, calling for a renewed push for trans+ liberation. Juliet Jacques, a journalist and filmmaker, stated, “We understand the media’s role in manufacturing consent that wasn’t there for the most extreme, far-right-aligned, anti-trans groups. That has been a crucial factor in bringing us to this point.”
However, she added, “The resistance we see here today is remarkable and vital. Looking at the diversity and range of people present, it gives you real confidence that, in the long run, we will succeed.”
Union Organising and Defiance Urged
Kate Alexander, a member of the Socialist Workers Party (SWP), said, “What the government is doing will be devastating for trans+ people—it will drive us into the margins. They’re painting us as the aggressors when we’re actually the ones being targeted. But we’re not just victims; we are victims who can stand up, fight back, and bring others into that struggle.”
She stressed the need to build “the confidence to resist” and “use whatever toilets we choose.” Alexander added, “Toilets are for urinating, not for discrimination. We must wage that fight and organise to push back—victory!”
Taking to the streets can bolster people’s confidence to organise effectively. Trade unionists are urged to organise in workplaces to demand that employers reject the new guidance—and, if it is adopted, to defy it. Union leaders can empower workers by declaring that the union will support anyone who takes a stand.
