In pictures: Tens of thousands take to UK streets to protest supreme court trans ruling
Protests took place in cities across the UK following the supreme court’s ruling. (Supplied/RTiE/Dave Morris)
Protests took place in cities across the UK following the supreme court's ruling. (Supplied/RTiE/Dave Morris)
Over the weekend, the UK lit up in colours of blue, pink, and white as thousands of members of the public protested a Supreme Court decision declaring that the legal definition of woman excludes trans women.
Protestors across the country banded together to condemn a 16 April ruling which argued the term “sex” in the 2010 Equality Act refers to “biological sex” and thus excludes trans women.
Aside from arguing the legal precedent is fundamentally “discriminatory” against trans people, various experts and non-profits have warned that it could have worrying implications for future of trans rights and access to certain spaces.
Trans and non-binary people, as well as thousands of allies, voiced their condemnation of the decision in a variety of protests across London, Bristol, Edinburgh, Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds, and more cities across the UK.
In London, an estimated 20,000 demonstrators gathered in the capital’s centre for an “emergency demonstration.” Members of the public were pictured marching alongside each other with signs promoting trans liberation and LGBTQ+ rights.
Meanwhile, in Edinburgh, approximately 2,000 people attended a similarly impromptu demonstration organised by members of the community publicly opposing the Supreme Court decision.
Speaking to co-organisers Resisting Transphobia in Edinburgh (RTiE), in a statement handed to PinkNews, poet and protestor Ellie Mental said the demonstration proved: “Where they need to bus in a couple hundred to fill out their little hate meets, thousands organically show up to support us.”
Red, an ally who showed up to the Edinburgh protest, said that it was vital to condemn the Supreme Court decision not just as an ally, but as a cisgender woman and “a survivor of sexual violence.”
“It’s something that should frighten all of us, cis or trans,” she said. “It’s done nothing to clarify anyone’s rights or protect anyone – all it does is legitimise the kind of blind bigotry that’s made it harder and harder for organisations supporting women and LGBTQ+ people to operate freely.”
In a statement to PinkNews, RTiE said that the Supreme Court decision has only helped to bolster the belief that the UK government is “actively hostile” towards the trans community. Flyers distributed across the demonstration echoed this feeling, writing: “We urge the people of Scotland to resist and ignore Wednesday’s verdict.”
Hundreds turn up for trans rights protest in Manchester
Meanwhile, in Manchester, hundreds of protestors banded together in St Peter’s Square on Saturday (19 April) to show their support for the trans community, similarly holding LGBTQ+ flags and signs sharing solidarity with the community.
The march was headed by protestors holding a banner reading: “Support trans lives, it’s not rocket science,” while others chanted slogans of solidarity such as “trans women are women” and “trans men are men.”
One protester, Emily Chomicz, told the Manchester Evening News: “This protest is about love. About loving each other. We are all the same. And whatever affects trans people affects everyone.”
Scheduled by Trans Pride Manchester, organisers urged attendees to bring signs showing support, as well as provisions such as a mask and water.
Another protest was held a day prior, with hundreds of people taking to Manchester city in an impromptu Pride protest organised by author Melissa Hill.
“Please help spread the word and join us to show the Supreme Court that trans rights are human rights and we will not let their voices be silenced,” Hill wrote in an Instagram post.
