Standing up for Trans rights in Swindon
Journalist Rebecca Clements writes about the issues facing the transgender community
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The Cost of Misinformation: Transgender lives in the crossfire of public debate
Journalist Rebecca Clements speaks up for trans rights in Swindon and will be attending a protest in the town this Sunday.
On Sunday 15 June, a crowd of people from across Swindon and Wiltshire will come together in Swindon Town Centre for a Trans Solidarity Protest.
Organised by Swindon and Wiltshire Pride, this demonstration will be one of many to have taken place across the UK and is in direct response to the UK Supreme Court’s recent ruling that redefines “woman” in the Equality Act as referring solely to biological sex and not gender identity.
This decision has been seen by many as a profound setback for trans rights and equality.
The decision could affect a transgender women’s access to women only spaces (e.g. shelters, hospital wards and changing rooms), as well as public sector diversity initiatives aimed at increasing female representation, and certain legal protections that are sex specified under the Equality Act.
However, the Supreme Court were keen to state as part of the ruling that this does not remove all legal protections for transgender people, and the Equality Act still prohibits discrimination based on gender reassignment, perceived gender, and sexual orientation.
So, while trans women may be excluded from some women-specific provisions, in theory, the law should still protect them from harassment and discrimination.
If you are extremely puzzled by the ruling and questioning how it would work in real life, whilst also perhaps feeling that it is contradictory in itself, please do not worry, you are in good company!
The Supreme Court Ruling has been met with strong opinions from supporters of the decision, as well as those who oppose it. Comments on social media in particular have been intense, emotional, and deeply divided.
All of the comments from supporters of the ruling which I have come across on social media seem to focus solely on one single concern, which is based around the safety of women and children when using public toilets.
This concern is completely understandable to me, particularly as a parent.
With frequent and distressing reports in the media about horrific sexual assaults taking place across the country daily, I think most of us will be naturally fearful and anxious, and quite rightly want to protect the most vulnerable in our society.
However, as both a nosey person by nature and an investigative journalist, I have to question the validity of those concerns around public toilets.
Many of us will already be aware that most sexual assaults occur in private settings and are committed by someone known to the victim.
In addition, and based on data from the UK Office for National Statistics (ONS), and also reviews by safeguarding and equality organisations, including Stonewall and the Equality and Human Rights Commission, no statistical link has been found between unisex toilets and the increased risk of assault. So, in conclusion, most sexual assaults occur in private settings and not in public toilets.
Transgender people are considered a minority group here in the UK and also globally. In global terms, estimates vary, but most studies suggest that transgender people make up between just 0.3% and 0.6% of the population.