Response to government trans exclusion
Ubuntu Thoughts / 4 min read
Callum Berry
Content & Media Manager
Content & Media Manager
We’ll be honest, we had something else scheduled for content today. However, we thought it was important to address a topic that has happened recently in the world of UK politics and is likely to affect someone we each know personally.
The recent banning of conversion therapy by the UK government came after a quick u-turn by officials on a topic that has been ridiculed for years. Conversion therapy is an indsidious practice that involves attempting to change someone’s sexuality or gender identity through methods that are generally abhorrent, harmful and psychologically damaging.
Here’s the catch though: the practice has been banned for every minority apart from transgender people. Which seems, well, ridiculous.
The trans community has certainly felt the full brunt of the British boot in recent years, from transphobic comments being made by public officials, to previously beloved authors spreading vitriol about the trans community, to governmental policies being considered with the aim to exclude trans people.
Something important to remember is while M&S might be making LGBT+ themed sandwiches, anti-queer sentiment is still alive and well in many corners of the UK. It was only 30 years ago that gay men were villified and scapegoated during the HIV epidemic of the 80s, with little to no support from the government.
Here are some unpleasant statistics::
Of course, there has been huge fallout from the LGBTQ+ community over this latest governmental misstep. Plans for a landmark global LGBT conference in the UK in the summer are to be cancelled after more than 100 groups pulled out.
Whatever your belief or political affiliation, the reality is we live in a country which purports to believe in freedom of expression and free choice. Making policies that fit one group but exclude another seems to run in the opposite direction to the very heart of our national identity. To find out more, check out some of these useful resources:
mermaidsuk.org.uk/
stonewall.org.uk/
The recent banning of conversion therapy by the UK government came after a quick u-turn by officials on a topic that has been ridiculed for years. Conversion therapy is an indsidious practice that involves attempting to change someone’s sexuality or gender identity through methods that are generally abhorrent, harmful and psychologically damaging.
Here’s the catch though: the practice has been banned for every minority apart from transgender people. Which seems, well, ridiculous.
The trans community has certainly felt the full brunt of the British boot in recent years, from transphobic comments being made by public officials, to previously beloved authors spreading vitriol about the trans community, to governmental policies being considered with the aim to exclude trans people.
Something important to remember is while M&S might be making LGBT+ themed sandwiches, anti-queer sentiment is still alive and well in many corners of the UK. It was only 30 years ago that gay men were villified and scapegoated during the HIV epidemic of the 80s, with little to no support from the government.
Here are some unpleasant statistics::
- ⅔ trans youth report self-harm within the past year.
- Trans people are 2X more likely to attempt suicide than gay, lesbian or bisexual people.
- Over 10% of trans-people report attempting suicide in the last year.
Of course, there has been huge fallout from the LGBTQ+ community over this latest governmental misstep. Plans for a landmark global LGBT conference in the UK in the summer are to be cancelled after more than 100 groups pulled out.
Whatever your belief or political affiliation, the reality is we live in a country which purports to believe in freedom of expression and free choice. Making policies that fit one group but exclude another seems to run in the opposite direction to the very heart of our national identity. To find out more, check out some of these useful resources:
mermaidsuk.org.uk/
stonewall.org.uk/
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We appreciate that all life on earth is under threat, so we’re using the resources we have—our business, our investments, our voice and our imaginations—to do something about it. Reducing the negative impact on people and the planet.
If you're looking to make a change in how you market your business, we'd love to chat. Find out more at ubuntustudio.co.uk.
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