The Scottish Government are currently debating a potentially groundbreaking piece of legislation that will reform the Gender Recognition Act (GRA), and allow transgender people to self-declare their gender.
As usual the reforms have come under fire from the reactionary Far Right digging up the cliched and totally unproven argument claiming predators could use them to enter women’s spaces by pretending to be female. Sadly they are supported by some feminists groups who still refuse to accept the rights of trans women in particular.
Meanwhile transgender Scots say they have been targets of hate crime more often than before the debate started, particularly on social media, with many now afraid to speak out.
Hence the really good news today is that 72 organisations from sports groups, health charities, independence-supporting groups, Pride organisations and police-affiliated LGBT groups etc have signed an open letter in support of the GRA reforms,
It reads: “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 letter goes on: “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.”’
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 was signed by :
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
