Home Politics & Debate
If you need urgent support, call 999 or go to your nearest A&E. To contact our Crisis Messenger (open 24/7) text THEMIX to 85258.

News about Trans Rights

LeylaLeyla Community Manager Posts: 140 Helping Hand
edited April 24 in Politics & Debate
Hiya folks,

As you may have heard, there have been some changes to the legal definition of what a “woman” is in terms of the Supreme Court (you can read about it here), which has sent ripples across LGBTQ+ communities everywhere, especially for trans people.

We know these sorts of changes can cause major uncertainty and stir up different emotions for different people, even if they are not directly linked to the situation.

We want to give anyone who feels impacted by this news a space to get out whatever feelings or thoughts could have arisen, as they are all completely valid and deserve to be given a dedicated space to be heard.

Let’s remember to be respectful to each other when putting any opinions across and to others' point of view! To read a bit more about what to do in case disagreements come up, you can read our post on it here
Post edited by Leyla on
Tagged:

Comments

  • Amy22Amy22 Posts: 5,141 Part of The Furniture
    edited April 17
    @Leyla thank you so so much for bringing this up as this is such an important topic right now affecting thousands of trans women and trans folk in general. I was so shocked to hear that the highest court decided to change that definition yet again and not actually acknowledge trans women as women eventhough they are still women!. I just wish sometimes the courts/government were more understanding of trans healthcare and trans inclusive. If someone identifies as trans or as a trans woman then they should be accepted by what gender they present as. While I may not be a trans person though sometimes I do find that I am more of a agender person myself, I find this worrying as what will be next after this, will they start coming for gay rights too and try to destroy LGBTQ+ communities. I feel like the same thing has been happening in the US recently not what with the recent story of a women being fired from Walmart because of her gender, alongside women being pitted against women and it feels like you have to prove your gender to people these days when you should be just easily accepted you know. My heart goes out to people on here who identify as trans and im always here if you wanna chat about things <3.
    Just a person who likes pop culture and films
  • Amy22Amy22 Posts: 5,141 Part of The Furniture
    This is awful, why is everything going backwards?! I’m so sorry to everyone affected by this. These views aren’t held by everyone.
    Trans women are women.

    I totally agree with you as well because it does feel like the supreme court has decided to take multiple steps backwards than instead of going forwards and doing more for the trans community. For me I find it worrying that now a trans woman potentially may be unable to use the toilets they want to use and it scares me to think how that will be monitored too. It's also the fact that want trans people to have to prove their gender to others and I find that heartbreaking because really a trans person should be able have their chosen gender accepted than questioned. No one should have to prove themselves to anyone. And trans women are definitely women and always have been especially throughout history there has been plenty of successful trans people.

    There was actually protest near me that took place to oppose the new leglisation and I was going to go and support but I wasn't feeling too good at the time. But apparently there was lots of people who went which was suprising and so great to see people supporting the trans community in these tough times. The supreme court should have never have changed the legislation at all and should have done more for trans healthcare. I know that and I don't know if its true but I heard the labour governement wanted to ban puberty blockers for people under 18 which I found shocking.
    Just a person who likes pop culture and films
  • independent_independent_ Community Connector Posts: 9,428 Supreme Poster
    edited April 23
    It's a tough one tbh. I hate the fact that people are using it to deny that real trans people exist. They are not predators, they are not out to harm women. I know many wonderful trans people who have struggled so much to come to terms with that identity, and those people should be supported in whatever way possible.

    I do think, though, that there are a very select few times where biological sex should be taken into account. The main example here is sports. As a retired female athlete, they split races by sex purely because biological males have an advantage (no matter how small) over biological females. I think there should be an open category that everyone can enter regardless of their sex or gender identity, so that everyone can take part on a level playing field.

    I have unfortunately also seen a couple of isolated cases of trans women taking advantage of women, and then going to womens prisons. There is some debate over whether these predators are being truthful about their gender identity. But like I say, isolated cases that should probably be decided on an individual basis rather than by a blanket ruling.

    I stand with trans people in thinking it's a very broad generalisation that will harm the vast vast majority of them. But I do feel, in my own head, that some factors need to be taken into account.

    But, I also think the big cases make the news because they are so rare. Trans people are marginalised as it is, and now they are even more so, so anything is used against them as a whole group. When in fact predators will be predators regardless of sex or gender and just need to be locked away. Predators should be treated like predators.

    I would love to live in a world where everyone is supported for their identity, with certain protections for things that can't be changed biologically (as in sports). But that does feel like a step back.

    Edit: I should add that I have tried to be extremely careful on what language I am using here. If anyone feels I have used the wrong words to describe their situation, I apologise for that, that wasn’t my intention at all. Like I said, I want everyone to feel safe and supported in this world, and I know some of my thoughts might come across the wrong way to some. I am very much open to discussion on this and want to help you all to feel comfortable <3
    “Sometimes the people around you won’t understand your journey. They don’t need to, it’s not for them.”
  • Sian321Sian321 Community Manager Posts: 1,095 Wise Owl
    Really appreciate each of you sharing your perspectives here so sensitively and respectfully!
Sign In or Register to comment.