Written by Esther Hodges, member of Save the Children UK's LGBT+ Allies Network
Press controversy
Over the past few weeks, there’s been a bit of a press storm centring on incorrect information about Stonewall’s Diversity Champions programme, and Stonewall’s advice around gender identity and the protected characteristic of gender reassignment in the Equality Act 2010.
I won’t go into the detail here as frankly it doesn’t need raking over, and Stonewall respond to the controversy better than I could anyway; see their statement here.
Impact on trans and non-binary people
Colleagues across Save the Children UK recognise the impact that some of this press and the accusations it covers might be having on trans and non-binary people.
It must be pretty awful to consistently find oneself and one’s existence at the centre of the so-called culture wars. Especially, dare I say, during Pride month, when we’re meant to celebrate the progress LGBT+ people have made towards equality – not wallow in denigration and denial of trans and non-binary people.
Statement of solidarity to trans and non-binary people
Save the Children UK’s LGBT+ Allies Network stands in solidarity with trans and non-binary people.
To you I say: I’m really sorry for what you have to see and read and hear. I can only imagine how soul-destroying it must be sometimes. I admire greatly your courage in continuing to deal with it and know you shouldn’t have to.
To everyone else: we all have a role to play in taking a stand for the rights of trans and non-binary people. We must ensure that they know that they’re not in this alone.
I hope, very much, that next Pride we can have moved on from these ‘debates’. Pride’s a moment to fight and take a stand as well as to celebrate. So, if we do nothing else this month, let’s all take a stand in support of trans and non-binary people.
