01/07/2020
TransPride South West says that a protest against transphobia will be held on Saturday 18th July 2020 from 12pm at College Green in Bristol City Centre, as part of a day of national action against transphobia taking place across the UK.
They go on to explain in a press release which we reproduce here: On 14th June 2020, the Sunday Times reported that, despite 70% of responses to the recent consultation on the reform of the Gender Recognition Act being in favour of self-identification, the UK Government intends to scrap the GRA reform and roll back the hard-won rights of trans and non-binary people. The Government is allegedly planning to introduce a law that will restrict the rights of trans women to use women’s facilities, such as public toilets, changing rooms and refuges.
In countries where self-identification has already been legalised, such as Norway, Malta and Ireland, no increase in attacks on women and girls has been reported. Conversely, when a ‘bathroom bill’ was introduced in North Carolina, USA, verbal and physical attacks increased - not only against trans people, but also against women who weren’t transgender but didn’t look `feminine’. The bill also impacts trans men, who were legally required to use women’s facilities, something that its authors had clearly not considered.
We are protesting this unworkable, unfair and dangerous plan, which would have a huge impact on the safety, dignity and wellbeing of trans people. Trans people have the right to live their lives without being subjected to discrimination and abuse.
This will be a peaceful protest. We ask that people bring a bottle of water, stay two metres apart and wear face coverings, in order to comply with social distancing measures.
