Sadiq Khan: “The trans community should not be stigmatised, demonised or weaponised”
Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, has spoken out against transgender people being “stigmatised, demonised or weaponised” in so-called ‘culture wars’.
Speaking to GAY TIMES at Pride in London on 1 July, Khan emphasised the importance of keeping the community at the forefront of this year’s event and due to the ongoing stigma they face in both politics and the media. “Listen, one of the things that’s the worst of all in politics is people being caught up in the crossfire of a ‘culture war’,” he said. “And we see every day, not just so-called ‘jokes’ made by the Prime Minister behind closed doors, [but also] things in the mainstream media, clickbait from certain people where the trans community are used as clickbait or as pawns.” Khan further explained that the trans community “should not be stigmatised, demonised or weaponised” and instead called for “recognition that this community is a vulnerable community that needs our support”. READ MORE: Sadiq Khan: ‘We must stand together to celebrate our differences at Pride’ “I’m quite clear, an attack on one minority is an attack on all minorities and an attack on all of us,” he added.
Discussing the importance of Pride more generally, Khan said it continues to be essential as it serves as a chance to “recognise things aren’t perfect” and that “we’ve still got to campaign and protest”. © Greater London Authority He called on the government to make sure “there are laws in place to protect all minorities, particularly the trans community” and urged it to ban so-called ‘conversion therapy’ for all. “But listen, as long as I’m the Mayor, London is going to carry on being a beacon to the rest of the world when it comes to LGBTQIA+ rights, but also this community, that sense of
