28/09/2022
Pink News reports that around two hundred and fifty trans people and allies groups including the lesbian “Keep the L with the T” campaign rallied in Brighton on September 18th, to keep vigil and bear witness to trans lives whilst an anti trans gender group called “Standing for Women” held a rally. During a four hour stand off, Brighton Police kept the two groups apart, but this did not prevent far right wing factions from revealing their true colours. An elderly gay man walking in the park where the competing rallies were held, and who had no connection with either group, was abused with a slur implying he was a paedophile, by the anti-trans groups, according to one eye witness. “They claim to be pro-lesbian, but they’re just a bunch of old fashioned homophobes” his friend remarked. At one point, an anti-transgender activist was photographed cutting apart a rainbow flag, demonstrating her feelings towards the wider gay community, and trampled on the part of the progress flag representing black and brown people, whilst smoking a cigarette. Author Joanne Rowling, who calls herself “JK” tweeted about the event. Ms Rowling, whose recent posts include one which appeared to mock the police in South Wales after the murder of a popular gay psychologist, said that trans people had launched smoke bombs at the anti-trans groups. However, Pink News journalists spoke to trans people who said this was untrue and that the smoke bombs travelled in the opposite direction. Police in Brighton said that they had worked hard to keep different groups apart. They made three arrests.