We should be very worried the UK’s been called out for moving backwards on LGBT+ rights
metro.co.ukNatasha Devon MBE spoke about the situation for trans rights in the UK right now – itwas a timely, and depressing, reminder of just how bad things have been in the past few years.The prominent mental health campaigner spoke about how the UK is ‘moving backwards’ on LGBT+ equality – and specifically trans rights.She also discussed some of the challenges that trans people face today, such as the sharp rise in hate crimes, and how trans people are wrongfully vilified in society, despite being an incredibly vulnerable group.As a trans person living in the UK, it’s heartbreaking to see the UK take a turn for the worse when it comes to LGBT+ rights and inclusion.
I’ve watched with despair as media debates have become increasingly hostile, and full of the type of misinformation that breeds fear and distrust towards people like me.
It’s hard to pinpoint, but it seems to me that things started slipping when the Government announced in 2016 that they would be reforming the Gender Recognition Act (2004).
To LGBT+ charities, this was a much-needed reform, as many believe the Act itself is outdated, overcomplicated and not in line with progress that’s been made in recent years.While the 2004 act itself only really deals with the issuing of a gender recognition certificate, this reform became a vehicle for anti-trans rhetoric and arguments about gendered spaces — despite the law having no direct link with gendered spaces.Ever had to show a birth certificate to enter a bathroom?
