Many of you have contacted me about the recent Supreme Court ruling on the definition of gender. I understand that public opinion on the decision is divided, and that many people have deeply-held positions on the issue. And I acknowledge that many transgender people will be anxious about the potential implications of this ruling.
So firstly I want to reassure you that as your MP I remain committed to working towards a society where no-one faces discrimination and where everyone can be safe. And I will be asking Southampton City Council’s community safety leaders, and local Police Chiefs, to do everything they can to reassure our trans community that any discrimination or hate crimes in the city will be dealt with fully and swiftly.
For my part, I am clear that the important and correct legal protections for transgender people under the Equality Act must not be lost. We must see an end to the toxic language and hostile attitudes towards LGBTQ+ people, and I continue to reject and challenge any baseless representations of trans people as a ‘threat’. Progress will only be made when there is respectful debate, whatever view a person holds.
Of course, a crucial principle here is that neither women’s rights nor trans rights can be seen as ‘done and dusted’, so I think there does need to be a careful and reasonable recognition of where single-sex spaces are requested and valued (e.g. domestic abuse refuges, prisons, etc).
Going forward, I think it’s vitally important that the implications of this judgement are considered by public bodies in a measured and sensible way, so I want to see further clarity in the statutory guidance to come. It’s also important that this should not be reduced to just a discussion of public toilets – though I would be very concerned at any ‘policing’ of toilets (if this were to be proposed). There are significant issues of healthcare, workplace rights, and wider protections that must ensure trans people can live their lives with dignity.
I am very clear that what follows the Supreme Court decision should not precipitate any rowing-back on support or acceptance for transgender people, not from the government, nor public bodies, nor wider society. To that end, there should be no tolerance of anti-trans harassment or abuse, and I would urge anyone who experiences or witnesses that to report it immediately to the police or via Southampton’s own “Love Don’t Hate” app.
I will keep a close watch for further guidance as the EHRC publishes this, I will continue to engage with all constituents who contact me about the issue, and I am prepared to raise issues of concern in Parliament.