21 MPs sign motion in support of trans rights to mark start of Trans+ History Week
Dawn Butler speaking at the LGBTQ+ Labour leadership hustings, presented by PinkNews and supported by Diva, in 2020. (PinkNews)
A number of MPs have signed a motion in support of trans rights to mark the start of Trans+ History Week (5 to 11 May).
The awareness week, founded in 2024, exists to promote the real history of trans and non-binary people, as well as combatting trans erasure.
An Early Day Motion, tabled on 30 April in support of the celebratory week, has so far been backed by 21 members of the UK Parliament.
Among the motion’s sponsors are Labour MPs Kate Osborne, Charlotte Nichols, Emily Thornberry, Catherine Fookes, Nadia Whittome, who has previously called on Labour to tackle transphobia within its ranks, and Emily Darlington.
The motion comes amid criticism of Labour leader and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who has been accused of turning his back on trans rights after stating he was “really pleased” that the Supreme Court ruled the protected characteristic of “sex” in the 2010 Equality Act is defined by biology, a decision that excludes trans women.
In addition to the sponsors, other MPs who have signed the motion include Labour’s Alex Sobel, Dawn Butler and Jacob Collier, as well as Independent MPs John McDonnell and Apsana Begum, and the Green Party’s Siân Berry, who has previously spoken out for trans rights.
MP Dawn Butler has raised concerns that the UK Supreme Court’s trans-exclusionary ruling on the legal definition of a woman could impact “butch lesbians” and other cisgender women who do not conform to societal expectations of femininity.
The pledge follows four Labour MPs – Charlotte Nichols, Kate Osborne, Olivia Blake and Nadia Whittome – putting their names to a Lesbian Visibility Week pledge that rejects “attempts to divide our communities”.
In celebration of Trans+ History Week, a workbook has been designed to showcase the stories of trans and non-binary people. The Trans+ History Week workbook is available to download here.
Speaking about the week, Marty Davies (she/they), founder of Trans+ History Week CIC, said: “Too many conversations are still being had about us, without us and in ignorance of both our history and the issues that shape our lives today, like healthcare, housing, and safety in public space. Trans+ History Week exists to change that. By centering Trans+ stories and storytellers, we’re not just reclaiming our past, we’re building the power and visibility our community needs to shape the future.”
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