Drag Race UK’s Bimini says transphobia ‘isn’t just a political debate – it’s about real people’
Bimini Bon Boulash has penned an opinion piece about the treatment of trans folks in the UK. (John Phillips/Getty Images)
Bimini Bon Boulash has penned an opinion piece about the treatment of trans folks in the UK. (John Phillips/Getty Images)
Drag Race UK star Bimini Bon Boulash has spoken out about transphobia in the UK, explaining that it “isn’t just a political debate – it’s about real people”.
In a Monday (12 May) opinion piece for Metro, the star argued that discourse about trans people is often happening without bringing the trans and non-binary community into the conversation.
The drag performer, model and musician, who is non-binary and uses they/them pronouns, noted the impact of the UK Supreme Court ruling on single-sex spaces and sports, including the FA ban on trans women in grassroots football.
“As a result, the noise around trans women in sport and public spaces has only grown louder — and more toxic. The headlines are nastier, the talking heads more extreme, and the actual people being talked about? Often nowhere to be seen.” the activist wrote.
“It’s time to change that because this isn’t just a political debate — it’s about real people and real lives,” they continued in the piece. “And if we want to move forward, we’ve got to do it with empathy, clarity, and the courage to speak up even when it’s uncomfortable.”
Bimini shared their “full, unequivocal” support for trans people. “This is about human rights,” they wrote. “And we should all be showing up in full solidarity — not sitting on the fence while others are pushed out of public life.”
They explained that the way forward is to consider women’s rights and trans rights as intersectional issues, not regard them as being “somehow in competition”.
“That means proper funding for services. It means taking gender-based violence seriously. And it means not blaming trans people for the failures of the system…And above all, we need empathy.”
Bimini joins other Drag Race stars speaking out in response to the ruling, including Divina De Campo, Tayce, Cara Melle, and more.
If this story has affected you, call Mindline Trans+ on Fridays 8 pm-11 pm on 0300 330 5468. For emotional support, Mindline is available 24/7 on 01823 276 892.
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