OVER 70 organisations who stand for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights have signed an open letter to Scottish politicians in support of trans equality and reforming the Gender Recognition Act.
As reported in the Herald on Sunday, LGBT groups across Scotland have today written to MSPs to express concerns over “attempts ... to isolate the trans community from the wider LGBT community”.
The move comes amid a charged discussion on Scottish Government proposals to reform the Gender Recognition Act (GRA) to simplify the process by which a trans person can self-delcare their gender.
Campaign groups in opposition to the move claim that reforms could allow predators to more easily access women's spaces.
Transgender Scots also say that since the debate started, they have increasingly been the targets of hate crime, with many now afraid to speak out.
Today's letter, which has been signed by sports groups, health charities, pro-independence groups and Pride organisations, states that: “We are resolute and united in support of trans equality and human rights ... and today reaffirm our support for trans people and equality. We stand for LGBT equality alongside equality for all other groups – there is no real equality unless it is equality for all.”
The 72 groups also stated that they "have been concerned by attempts by some to isolate the trans community from the wider LGBT community; this goes against everything we stand for. Trans people are the women, men, and non-binary people that they say they are.”
On reform of gender recognition, the letter states: “We stand in support of a reformed [GRA] that enables trans people to more smoothly change their birth certificates to match their lives and other identity documents.”
Dr Rebecca Crowther, policy co-ordinator at the Equality Network, said: “We know that an overwhelming majority of the LGBT community support trans equality. The LGBT groups and organisations that have signed this letter prove just that.
“It is vital that the LGBT community and allies continue to stand together to ensure that Scotland continues to be a progressive and inclusive country for all and that this is reflected in policy and legislation.”
Stuart Duffy, founder of LGBT media website Pink Saltire, said: “This unprecedented demonstration of support and solidarity sends a clear message that we will not be divided on this issue.
“Trans and non-binary people have been, and continue to be, absolutely critical in the fight for LGBT equality and we will not abandon them or deny their existence as others would.”
The letter reads:
We are LGBT groups, and organisations working for LGBT equality, from all over Scotland.
The LGBT community in Scotland, and our allies, have worked together for a better Scotland, changing this country for the better of all its people and challenging sexual orientation and gender reassignment discrimination.
In this journey we have learned that as an LGBT community we are stronger when we are united.
In all our progress in working towards our shared goal of equality for all, we have proudly recognised and valued the range of needs and priorities within our diverse community.
Recently, we have been concerned by attempts by some to isolate the trans community from the wider LGBT community; this goes against everything we stand for.
Trans people are the women, men, and non-binary people that they say they are.
We are resolute and united in support of trans equality and human rights, as we have always been, and today reaffirm our support for trans people and equality.
We stand for LGBT equality alongside equality for all other groups – there is no real equality unless it is equality for all.
We stand for full inclusion in the census. People must be allowed to record their own sexual orientation, even if they use less common terms. Trans people must be allowed to record the sex in which they live.
We stand in support of a reformed Gender Recognition Act that enables trans people to more smoothly change their birth certificates to match their lives and other identity documents.
Signed:
Aberdeen LGBTQ+ Forum
Amazing Gracies
Auld Reekie Roller Derby
Ayrshire LGBT+ Education Network
Ayrshire LGBTQ
Ayrshire Pride
Bute LGBT+
Bute Pride
Caledonian Thebans RFC
Colinton Squashers
ConnexONS Fife
Dumfries & Galloway LGBT Plus
Dundee Frontrunners
Dundee Pride
Dundee University LGBT+ Society
Dunoon Pride
Edinburgh Frontrunners
Edinburgh Racqueteers
Edinburgh STRIDE
Edinburgh University Staff Pride Network
Equality Network
Four Pillars
Free Pride Glasgow
Glasgow Alphas RFC
Grampian Pride
Hebridean Pride
Highland LGBT Forum
Highland Pride
Hiv Scotland
HotScots FC
LEAP Sports Scotland
LGBT Health and Wellbeing
LGBT Unity
LGBT Youth Scotland
LGBT+ Conservatives
LGBT+ Labour Scotland
Moray LGBT
NetworQ Orkney
Oban Pride
Orkney Pride
Out for Independence
Out On Sundays
PCS Proud
Perth Parrots Floorball Club
Perthshire Pride
Pink Saltire
Pride East Kilbride
Pride Edinburgh
Pride Glasgow
Pride in the Borders
Pride Proms Project
Pride Saltire - East Lothian
Queer Ephemera
Queer Napier
Rainbow Glasgaroos
Rainbow Greens
Saltire Thistle FC
Scene Alba Magazine
Scene Radio
Scottish Borders LGBT Equality
Scottish LGBTI Police Association
Sisters Scotland
SQIFF
Stirling University LGBTQ+ Society
Stonewall Scotland
SX Health
Terrence Higgins Trust Scotland
Time For Inclusive Education
Vale Pride
Waverley Care
West Lothian Pride
Winter Pride Scotland
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel