So excited to be elected onto the
@LabourStudents
committee as Trans Officer. I can't wait to hit the ground running (after my exams!) fighting for trans* members in our party. A massive thanks to everyone on the
@Organise24
team, who have been an incredible source of support.
1/ The Labour Party should stand on the side of marginalised groups, even when politically inconvenient. That means not uncritically engaging with reports with questionable methodology, especially where doing so threatens the dignity and health of so many vulnerable people.
See below an open letter from myself and Dylan, the two elected national trans officers in our party. (and also some thoughts from me, personally, which may shed some light on why we acted as we did 🧵)
2/ As trans people, we have a love-hate relationship with gender-affirming healthcare provision in this country. Despite the NHS theoretically providing free treatment, the medical attention that so many of us desperately need is often completely inaccessible to us.
7/ living in England as a trans person on my wellbeing are frankly disastrous. Labour can and must be better at standing up to the toxic political culture that has developed in which trans people are dehumanised, stigmatised, and generally treated like dirt.
4/ That said, the selection criteria for the studies it uses to evidence the review appear questionable, excluding trials on the basis of not being double-blind, for example (it is unclear how you're meant to conduct a double-blind trial on hormones, given the obvious effects...
3/ The Cass Review identifies some areas where we can all agree that our services need improvement, especially on cutting waiting lists and moving away from a postcode lottery system for gender-affirming care for under-18s.
For those who are confused about why this is controversial, it might be worth considering what a Gender Recognition Certificate actually does (very long🧵)
But we also believe the law must protect legitimate applications.
So we will retain the requirement to obtain a medical diagnosis of gender dysphoria.
Requiring a diagnosis upholds legitimacy of applications and confidence in the system.
5/ of taking cross-sex hormones for the patient). What is clear to me is that, as a party of social justice and equality, we should not support the review's conclusions in their entirety. I have friends and loved ones who will be severely impacted by the consequences of...
6/ limiting access to what is often life-saving medication on shakey grounds. To be honest, I'm personally quite scared about what the future might hold for me as a trans person in the UK. I don't like talking about my own mental health in a public forum, but the effects of...
Deeply disappointed to see that Anneliese Dodds has met with the so-called 'LGB Alliance', an anti-trans hate group with a history of opposing bans on conversion therapy, and which has previously stated that opposition to gay marriage is not homophobic and "
#notabigdeal
."
I'm standing to be your next Labour Students Trans Officer.
At a time of rising hate crime and political vitriol, it is more important than ever that we have a vocal student movement within Labour fighting for our rights.
Here are my priorities for delivering that... 🧵
Say what you will about the questionable politics of having a hereditary head of state in the 21st century (and believe me I will), but Zadok the Priest is an absolute banger, and Penny Mordaunt has ✨drip✨
What a conference!
An honour to receive the young person's merit award, and so many great conversations to be had as the
@LGBTLabour
exhibitor and delegate. Bring on the general election!
Congratulations to everyone getting their offer to study at
@uniofoxford
this week, and thank you to all of our applicants for their hard work! Whatever the decision, you've done a great job and can be proud of all the hard work you put in!
For anyone wondering, the YL and LS elections were administered by Civica Election Services, an independent ballot provider that works with 90% of UK trade unions, including Unite the Union, the BMA, and the RCN. But hey, don't let facts get in the way of a good story!
Today's the day: I've just cast my first ever votes for
@anne_clarke
,
@SadiqKhan
, and
@LondonLabour
because I believe in cleaner air, affordable public transport, free school meals, and standing up for the diversity that makes our city great. Polls close @ 10pm — don't forget ID!
I'm standing to be the next Labour Students trans officer - but I need your support to get on the ballot!
If you're a member of Labour Students and identify as trans*/gender diverse, nominate me with the link & details below:
Membership Number: L1942494
"Your government has raised taxes to the highest levels in 70 years" - Angela Rayner
"Yeah, we have" - Penny Mordaunt
Someone needs more media training 👀
#bbcdebate
Weekend well spent campaigning for the brilliant
@TomHayesBmouth
in sunny Bournemouth with
@LGBTLabour
Plus, look what stopped by while we were there 🚌🌹
Excited to announce I'm running to be
@LabourStudents
next trans officer! Our movement needs a strong, constructive voice speaking in favour of trans rights, and I'm confident myself and the rest of the team
@Organise24
can deliver that!
💥LABOUR STUDENTS LAUNCH💥
We are Organise Labour Students — the campaign to energise Labour Students and create the radical change students need, from the cost of living to trans liberation.
Join us today, and help elect the reps that will get Labour Students Organised.
So great to be backed by Labour's candidate for Finchley & Golders Green,
@sarahsackman
.
The road to a Labour government in 2024 runs through seats like FGG, and it's incredible candidates like Sarah who will get us over the line!
Woke up to this horrific news today. Like the attacker, I live in NW2. This could so easily have been me, or one of the trans people I hold dear. My love and prayers go out to the victim, attacked because of who she is. Because of who we are. I also...
I, as a churchgoing Anglican, and with the full support of my vicar, am legally unable to get married to someone I love in the place where I worship. Because I'm trans.
So what now?
@Sochli1987
@Stopphoningme
@helenstaniland
And if you were discriminated against for being trans - if you lost employment, or housing, or the right to vote, or to love/marry whomsoever you please, simply for being trans-identified - I’d definitely march with you. Which of these are trans people being denied at the moment?
What a weekend: two campaign launches, two incredible candidates, two seats we need to win to deliver a Labour Government. Best of luck to you both
@MrTomGray
@sarahsackman
!
So pleased to have the most nominations of any candidate running for a
@LabourStudents
liberation officer role. Many thanks to everyone who's supported me so far!
Great to be out prepping
@LGBTLabour
at
@londonlabour
's first equalities conference! If you're here today, drop by for a chat, and get a pic with Labour's pledge to ban conversion practices.
We’re excited to be at
@LondonLabour
’s first ever Equalities Conference.
Drop by for a chat and to support our campaign to ban conversion therapy 🏳️🌈🌹
Great to see
@TulipSiddiq
standing up for the safety of our community here in Hampstead and Kilburn — immensely priviliged to be LGBT+ Officer for such an accepting constituency party
@hampsteadlabour
, and with a supportive representative in Parliament to match!
I am very concerned about the rise of LGBTQ hate crimes in recent years, including many shocking incidents in my constituency.
In Parliament today I raised the urgent need to tackle this kind of abuse and for cowardly crimes targeting LGBTQ people to be given tougher sentences.
Great to be backed by Labour's candidate for Uxbridge & South Ruislip,
@DannyBeales
.
Danny has a strong record of fighting for LGBT+ rights in the charitable sector and local government and, if Labour wins in 2024, he'll be part of the largest cohort of LGBT+ MPs ever elected.
The Conservatives came to power a few months after my 4th birthday — I started primary school just as austerity was being brought in.
This year, I'm sitting my A-levels, and I'll be voting in a general election for the first time, for
@TulipSiddiq
.
It's time for change.
Labour urgently needs a robust definition of transphobia. Until we have one, there can be no confidence in the complaints process being applied consistently, and trans members of the party won't feel safe. That's why it'll be one of my top priorities if elected trans officer.
Rosie Duffield should not be a Labour MP, it is incredibly disappointing to see she is being allowed to stand again for Labour. She does not represent our values and should have no place in our party.
First, a GRC is not a passport for using single-sex spaces — this should be obvious for most people who give it a moment of thought. Have you ever been asked to show your birth certificate when trying to use a bathroom or changing room? No?
1/ Today, on
#TransDayOfVisibility
, and on Easter Sunday, trans Christians celebrate the victory of hope over despair and defiance in the face of death and violence. Easter is not a story of the rich and powerful, but of a working class man from a subjugated colony who preached
I've wrestled with this a lot over the past few days, as anyone who's seen me recently will know, and I'm sure many people will be deeply unhappy with where we've gotten to.
To answer the question of what a GRC actually does: it is an administrative document that allows trans people to have our gender correctly recognised when getting married, claiming pensions, and on our death certificate. That's literally it.
Great to have
@LeslieAlan
's support in the Labour Students Trans Officer election (ballots opening soon!)
With Labour now the largest party in local government, it's incredible LGBTQ+ councillors like Leslie who are on the frontline of our struggle for equality as a community.
In short, they can't. This analysis from Dodds that we need to "safeguard the process" only makes sense if you accept the falsehood that predatory men can use a GRC to access single-sex female spaces and abuse women. It is an implicit acceptance of the worldview espoused by...
I also know that many will argue that we should have been more strident and emotional. I'm sympathetic to that point of view, and I'm definitely angry. However, if we want to have the most impact in terms of policy, we have to make demands in line with our manifesto...
Whilst I get the spirit of this, the elected roles on the YLNC are set out in the Labour Party Constitution, so adding elected VCs wouldn't be as easy as just holding an ad hoc election. 🧵
100% this. I wouldn't have agreed to stand with
@Organise24
if we weren't going to be outspoken in our support for trans rights.
It's great to see candidates from all wings of the party standing in solidarity with our community, including those on both slates and independents.
Great to speak at this event supporting the incredible
@TulipSiddiq
(even if I didn't get much notice😅) and to see so many familiar faces in parliament last night!
It was a pleasure to host friends old and new from Hampstead, Kilburn and Highgate in Parliament yesterday!
We heard from local councillors and campaigners who have been working hard to support constituents.
So proud to be backing Jack to be our next chair of Young Labour. I'm lucky enough to have campaigned frequently with him in Finchley and Golders Green, so I know from experience that he is thoughtful, passionate, a first-rate organiser, and a staunch trans ally.
That's because we essentially already have a system of self ID for most spaces — the right, e.g., of trans men (who many seem to conveniently forget because it doesn't fit their narrative) to use the men's bathroom is already protected without a GRC under the 2010 Equality Act.
Happy International Women's Day! I'm grateful to all the women in politics who keep fighting for their constituents despite the abuse, and feeling so lucky to be represented by inspirational Labour women at every level of government
@LornaLGreenwood
@anne_clarke
@TulipSiddiq
.
I know some will be disappointed by how long this has taken, but I would remind people that we operate with the structure of an elected committee, which often means that finding concensus on statements can take considerable time.
Absolutely insane that one of her four main priorities was making life more difficult for trans kids. Nothing more important to do? Restoring community trust in the police and tackling hate? Building an fair, effective asylum system? No — attacking trans kids takes priority.
A reactionary and a moral vacuum. Remember when he was sold as the sensible centrist by conservative media outlets? The mask has well and truly slipped.
"Of all the weeks to say that, when Brianna's mother is in this chamber. Shame."
@keir_starmer
slams Rishi Sunak for his transphobic comments while the mum of murdered Brianna Ghey watches on from Commons gallery at
#PMQs
If this is really only about safeguarding women from predatory men, why not allow self ID for trans men but not for trans women? Sounds ridiculous, doesn't it — because that's not what this is about.
So grateful to everyone who's shown their support by nominating me to be the next Labour Students Trans Officer! If you haven't already, please make sure you register your student status and nominate me (L1942494) and the rest of
@Organise24
before 23/02.
... "safeguarding the process" makes perfect sense. So why are trans people and our allies upset by this? Because the equalities lead of what is meant to be a progressive party is endorsing a fundamentally transphobic worldview.
Great to be in Nottingham yesterday to meet other members of the Young Labour and Labour Students committees, discuss our ideas for the years ahead, and, of course, get out and campaign for
@ClaireWard4EM
to be the first ever mayor of the East Midlands!
We had a brilliant induction morning in Nottingham with our new committee, who have some fantastic ideas for the year ahead!
We also had a great canvass with
@EastMidsYL
for
@ClaireWard4EM
and
@gary_godden
Young Labour is back 🌹
I'm lucky enough to know both Jack and Sarah through my campaigning in Finchley and Golders Green.
Every word of Sarah's endorsement here rings true.
They're both amazingly hardworking, intelligent activists and if our party has any sense they'll both go very far indeed!
Sarah is an inspirational campaigner, public interest barrister and parliamentary candidate
She's fighting hard to turn Thatcher's old constituency red. Together, we've mobilised dozens of young activists to knock on thousands of doors
That's why her support means so much 🌹❤️
To be clear, my position on this has not changed. That the party welcomed this new guidance is a failure of moral and political leadership. We have a duty to protect the most vulnerable in our society. Labour's position must change.
In summary then, GRCs have no impact at all on trans people's ability to access single-sex spaces. It might puzzle you, then, how exactly a predator could abuse a system that doesn't impact their right to access any of the spaces that might facilitate their abuse?
So great to be backed by the leader of the Bromley Labour Group,
@simon_jeal
.
As leader of the Labour group in a Tory-run borough, and part of our LGBT+ community, Simon understands better than most how important it is that Labour delivers the radical change LGBT+ people need.
... transphobes, namely that most trans women are simply male fetishists who have co-opted the label to abuse "biological women" . And if you believe that trans people are predators until proven otherwise, and twist the facts to fit that narrative, this idea of...
Great to be the warm-up act for
@TulipSiddiq
,
@SadiqKhan
, and
@DavidPintoD
at the Hampstead and Highgate campaign launch this evening! After 14 years of Conservative government, it's time for change in NW London and across our country!
Great to join my friend
@TulipSiddiq
to launch her campaign to be re-elected as the Labour MP for Hampstead and Highgate.
So much support from Labour supporters and local residents paying tribute to Tulip’s record of serving her community.
1/ What a soulless way of looking at the role of government. It might not be possible to quantify it on a balance sheet, but it building community and joy not a good use of public money? Is supporting people who are suffering and isolated only worth it if we can quantify...
focus largely on how we can achieve the best possible outcomes for young trans people within its bounds. Whether we like it or not, Wes is and will continue to be Health Secretary, and it does LGBT+ Labour and our community no good to antagonise him, or to demand something...
Strange, praying to God was also one of the solutions I was offered when I realised I was attracted to men. But I'm sure that's just a coincidence. I'm always being told how gender critical people and homophobes have nothing in common.
@LabourWillow
Strange that the God you worship gave you the wrong body. Have you taken the matter up with him? He's got more time on his hands than JK, who's got numerous books on the go.
and try to build bridges even in situations where we find that challenging. There is potential for massive variation within the recommendations of Cass, anywhere from people broadly being able to access puberty blockers as before (albeit having to consent to being part of a...
There are, however, exceptions to this. Where an organisation feels that there is a reasonably necessary justification for only allowing people of a certain sex assigned at birth, they are able to obtain an exemption under the Equality act. Again, a GRC doesn't circumvent this.
clinical trial for a time, which is far from ideal), to most being unable to access lifesaving treatment in any capacity. That doesn't mean I agree with the Cass Review — I don't. However, given its implementation was a manifesto commitment, we will have greater impact if we...
Dodds must immediately clarify the nature of this meeting and provide reassurances to the trans members I represent — and the wider LGBT+ community — that Labour will not roll back on existing commitments to ban conversion therapy and does not share the views of the LGB Alliance.
we know won't be provided. That doesn't mean individuals shouldn't continue to apply pressure as they see fit, but I wanted to take a moment to maybe help you see where we're coming from.
With polls closing at 12pm tomorrow, there's less than 18 hours left to vote in the Labour Students elections. I want to be an officer who unites our movement in supporting trans rights and engages trans* members from across our party. I can only do that if you lend me your vote.
I'm standing to be your next Labour Students Trans Officer.
At a time of rising hate crime and political vitriol, it is more important than ever that we have a vocal student movement within Labour fighting for our rights.
Here are my priorities for delivering that... 🧵
The 'LGB Alliance' is a fringe group and does not represent LGBT+ people, the vast majority of whom view trans people as part of our community and oppose attempts to divide us. Lesbians, gay men, and bisexual people overwhelmingly support trans people and our fight for equality.
As polls open today, I'm so happy to be endorsed by
@anne_clarke
, the London Assembly Member for my home of Barnet & Camden.
I've known Anne most of my life, and all of my political life. I can honestly say that no-one works harder for their constituents than her.
Of course he was whisked away before any of us had the opportunity to ask him questions...
Funny how he comes and takes credit for a school built under the last Labour government 👀
I’m told Rishi Sunak is visiting a school in Finchley this morning. I hope the students give him a typical Finchley grilling. Maybe the teenagers can show him how to find his missing WhatsApps??
Proud to support and have signed
@Lab4TransRights
open letter to the NEC and Leadership.
Let's make this week a turning point in the discussion on trans rights by fighting for a progressive Labour Party that will deliver for our community in government.
This is a very peculiar argument. Was giving women the right to vote 'tilting the playing field'? What about non-landowners: they were certainly more likely to favour left-of-centre parties when given the right to vote.
If you want to see the face of anti-trans activists, look at the comments on this thread. Condescending, abusive, and, frankly, disgustingly obsessed with young people's genitals. Solidarity.
And, for the record, I agree with Meg.
Forgot to log back out so quickly, to all the people standing against the transphobia in the replies, QTs here and on elsewhere, as well as what we face off social media - stay strong, look after yourself and keep fighting the good fight ✊
🏳️⚧️Trans rights are human rights🏳️⚧️
Reminder that you have until this Friday 12pm to vote in the YL and LS elections! I'm proud to stand on a platform of membership engagement and comprehensive support for trans rights in our party and country. Find out more 🔽
I'm standing to be your next Labour Students Trans Officer.
At a time of rising hate crime and political vitriol, it is more important than ever that we have a vocal student movement within Labour fighting for our rights.
Here are my priorities for delivering that... 🧵
It often seems hopeless. But please remember that this attacker does not speak for our communities. The media does not speak for our communities. Because trans people are loved, and we are part of our local areas just as much as anyone else. We aren't going anywhere.
Great to be backed by
@lilysoaper
, an incredible advocate for LGBT+ rights and students.
Now more than ever, we need to stand united as a community, as a party, and as a student movement in supporting trans rights. As your trans* officer, I will fight tirelessly for that unity.