Seize chance to build mass movement for trans+ rights

Around 30,000 on the streets of London (Photo: Guy Smallman)

The trans+ rights movement has responded in force to the Supreme Court’s transphobic ruling.

Protests have swept across Britain, including 30,000 people in London, 5,000 in Cardiff, 1,000 in Sheffield and many more.

The scale of the resistance has shown that trans+ people will not quietly stand by. It has also shown the depth of support for trans people.   

Importantly, this is the second time in two years we have seen a wave of trans+ rights protests across Britain.

In January 2023 the Tory government blocked the Scottish parliament’s gender recognition reforms. 

It voted to make the process of getting a gender recognition certificate easier and not require a medical diagnosis. The Tories intervened, in a historic first, to stop the Scottish law.   

In response, thousands took to the streets across Britain. Although it was inspiring to see the outrage, the movement two years ago went up like a rocket and down like a stick. Less than a month later there was little to be seen of the movement that had exploded onto the streets. 

We don’t have to repeat that experience this time—we need to fight to ensure people keep coming out.  

During the two years since then, the trans+ movement has been relatively quiet despite the increasing attacks.

There have been numerous protests by trans+ people and supporters, but they have tended to be small and one-off events. An exception is the annual London Trans+ Pride march.

With the Cass report and the puberty blocker ban, the Supreme Court ruling is the latest in a series of brutal attacks. 

The Tories and now Labour have increasingly used transphobia as a talking point. There is a growing anger at the attempts to further victimise trans people.  

These attacks attempt to divide the working class. They paint trans+ people as a threat to women’s rights. 

We have to reject these ideas. We need solidarity between all elements of the working class including trans+ people.  

A key feature of the recent trans protests has been the trade union support. The London demonstration was supported by branches from the RMT, UCU, PCS, Unison and other unions.

Many of the protests across Britain had local trade union banners on them and over 300 people joined a Trade Unionists For Trans Rights call on Monday. This network has called a workplace day of action next Wednesday, 7 May.

All trade unionists should deepen the links with the trans+ rights movement. This means fighting both inside the unions and getting more trade unionists out on the streets.  

Trans+ people cannot achieve liberation alone.

The trans+ movement is not only a space for trans+ people, but a space for all those united in the fight against oppression and the system. 

We have to build on the widespread support for the recent protests. A one-off protest will not dismantle the system, but it can be a springboard for much wider struggle.

There are tens of thousands of people angry at this ruling—and ready to take to the streets.

Despite horrific circumstances that provoked it, this is a crucial opportunity to build a lasting mass movement for trans+ rights. We must not miss it.