23/05/2022
Justin Mahboubian-Jones - Community Engagement Manager at the LGBTQIA health charity LGBT Hero, has written a powerful blog piece for International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia. Justin pulls no punches in relating the shocking level of hate crime in the UK, something that affects many minorities. He also says “It’s clearer than ever that the UK is sliding backwards. We’ve all watched in dismay as the nation has lived up to its shameful new nickname: ‘TERF Island’. A horrific moniker, but undoubtedly accurate.” TERF is an acronym, standing for “Trans Exclusionary Radical Feminist” and Justin’s remarks make clear that hatred towards LGBTQIA people is coming not only from the traditional foes of the political and cultural right wing. A certain contingent of radical feminists have been colluding with the far right in opposing trans women’s place in society. However, not everyone agreed with Justin’s dramatic call to action. Some members of our community questioned whether the phrase “TERF island” was really accurate. “Radical feminists make a lot of noise, but are they that numerous?” wrote one gay woman. Lisa Power, who has been campaigning for lesbian rights since the early seventies, and also worked for LGBT+ Switchboard and the Terrence Higgins Trust, pointed out to Pink News last year that she could count the number of lesbian friends she’d lost over the trans debate on one hand. The vast majority of lesbian feminists, she said, supported trans equality. To read Justin Mahboubian-Jones's full piece and call to action, visit www.lgbthero.org.uk.