TransActual wholeheartedly condemns the government’s cynical statement and video published within hours of the Downing St ‘Pride Celebration.’
Those looking on should be aware that this took place, alongside an announcement of a new trans section 28, and amidst reports that they are about to force through an unqualified EHRC chair because she is “gender critical.” While the government wages war on the human rights and healthcare of trans people, any claim that it supports trans and non-binary people is hypocritical, misleading, and offensive.
Our policy lead and chair, Helen Belcher, was there. She was not consulted about any messaging.
Despite the efforts of some, Helen was able to deliver powerful messages, in the form of personal letters from her and allies, directly into the hand of the Prime Minister.
Earlier in the day she raised powerful concerns directly with government ministers. We believe that the point of engaging with a government hostile to us is to speak truth to power.
Whether any particular event is an exercise in PR or a genuine opportunity to build influence is always a hard call. It is our policy to refuse all photo opportunities with government ministers.
This, we put in place to address the exact concerns the community is raising and which we share. We will continue to do our best to prevent any political event or discussion being weaponised against the community.
We encourage other LGBTQ+ organisations and individuals to do the same. Please adopt a similar ‘no pics without prior agreement’ policy. Meanwhile, carry on holding us and other organisations claiming to represent your interests accountable.
This government has blood on its hands. Pretending otherwise will only draw more ire from LGBTQ+ people.