London Trans+ Pride
The first ever London Trans Pride was as recent as 2019. On the 14th September history was made as hundreds of trans people and their allies took to the streets and brought Central London to a standstill. The march started at Wellington Arch, down Piccadilly then back up Shaftsbury Avenue, and in to Soho Square for speeches.
Lucia Blayke spoke to QX just before the first London Trans Pride in 2019. She talked about those early days and her words offer a great deal of insight in to the motivation behind that first London Trans Pride.
“A bunch of us did a Fashion Week protest in February this year (2019) – there were only about a hundred of us. But we all dressed up and went to protest and it got quite a bit of press.”
“It was a wonderful day for everyone because it’s obviously really daunting for trans people to be out in public, in broad daylight, in central London. So we were all really nervous – and we were getting quite a bit of abuse. We were getting heckled and people were shouting slurs at us out of car windows. But the fact that we were all together, and had that unity…I’ve never felt such pride and such strength. Since transitioning, every public appearance has just been…horrendous.”
Since that interview in 2019 things have gone from very bad to even worse. The current Conservative government has attacked trans rights in order to court transphobic voters. The anti-trans movement has been amplified by a hateful right-wing media. Across Europe governments are sliding back on LGBTQ+ rights and transgender people are suffering the brunt of it. The U.K. government is dragging its heals on reforming the Gender Recognition Act and the ruling of Tavistock v Bell has had a disastrous affect on transgender children.
When government and media attack a community so viscously there are consequences for that community in the wider community. According to Stophateuk.org the Home Office reported 2,630 transgender hate crimes in 2020/2021. This represents an increase of 16% on the previous year. According to the Government Equalities Office 88% of transgender people do not report the hate crimes that they experience. The latter also reported that 48% of people were dissatisfied with the police response. These are shameful statistics.
Marching in solidarity against hate is in itself empowering, but trans people have to deal with many issues that the broader community are often simply not aware of. These issues need to be brought to the fore and protesting with placards and shouting “catchy” slogans #TransRightAreHumanRights, with the accompanying publicity, is one way of doing that.
When dealing with transitioning, Britain has an outdated and inadequate trans health care system that is way behind the progressive, science based thinking, of many other countries. The waiting lists for Gender Identity Clinics are so long that the wait causes significant damage to the wellbeing of trans people. Denmark cleared the way for trans people to self-determine their gender identity without any need for medical intervention in 2014. Argentina has had a Gender Identity Law since 2012 that makes sex-change surgery a legal right. Sex-change surgery is also covered by both private and public healthcare plans! Shockingly in the U.K., trans people must not only wait for health care, but a scandal ridden government, refuses to include trans people in the ban on conversation therapy. To use Stonewall’s words, nobody should be told that their identity is something that can be cured.
“Wear flowers to honour the long legacy of transgender, non-binary, gender non-conforming and intersex people who came before us. Remember PRIDE IS A PROTEST!” – London Trans Pride
London Trans+ Pride March starts 1pm Wellington Arch, W1J 7JZ
Trans+ Pride Events
Trans+ Pride Sign Making at Common Counter at Glass House, Friday 8 July
All materials provided. Join in, have some communal fun, make new friends in solidarity, and make a difference. Yes, you can help make the world a better place. Pay what you can. Tickets here. Between 3pm and 7pm. 118 Bethnal Green Road, London, E2 6DG
Meet and March for Trans+ Pride at London LGBTQ+ Community Centre, Saturday 9 July
Please note: Tickets are not required for this event, but can help us know how many people to expect. Come alone or with friends to the London LGBTQ+ Community Centre as we come together for Trans+ Pride! Focusing on ensuring everyone feels safety, comfort and belonging as we join together to mark Trans+ Pride. Meeting from 11am and setting off together to join the main demonstration. The group will be accompanied by volunteers to help ensure we get there safely. We will be taking public transport – so please bring whatever travel card you normally use. The centre can also provide pronoun badges, face masks, drinks and a changing space. Please note – we are not currently able to provide an accessible toilet, but can help accompany to a nearby site that we have permission to use. Tickets at Eventbrite. 60-62 Hopton Street, Thames Path, Bankside, London SE1 9JH
FEMMME FRAICHE at Dalston Superstore, Saturday 9 July 2022
MICHELLE MANETTI with a line up to be announced. Superstore’s biggest and best lezzy rave is back £6 before 11pm. £8 after. 9pm-3am. £7 before 11pm. £11 after. 117 Kingsland High St, London E8 2PB
Reclaiming Harry at The Two Brewers, Monday 11 July 2022
LGBTI ranking drops as a result of how Government treats trans and non-binary people
