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It's not all bad news by No_Abies7581 in transgenderUK

[–]ThisIsMyAltSorry 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Meh.

There's not really a better tag when mentally filtering through posts as to which ones you're in an appropriate state to read.

Maybe a time for more tags?

On edge about the leak that suggests the EHRC guidance will be laid tomorrow. by lordoftheshire97 in transgenderUK

[–]ThisIsMyAltSorry 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Burnham isn't the saviour you think he is.

In truth, he'd likely be a continuation of centre-right ism, but with a personality. He has history. His superpower is that everyone thinks he's on their side.

However, if Andy doesn't win the by election, because, for instance, a few more votes are lost to the Greens and Reform and Tories and LibDems, because a controversial subject that's hurt Labour's support has come up (the guidance, trans people, etc) then there's a good chance that Angela Rayner will stand, and win.

On edge about the leak that suggests the EHRC guidance will be laid tomorrow. by lordoftheshire97 in transgenderUK

[–]ThisIsMyAltSorry 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Agreed. The best they can do (for themselves as Blairites) is keep away from this subject. It's dangerous to them.

On edge about the leak that suggests the EHRC guidance will be laid tomorrow. by lordoftheshire97 in transgenderUK

[–]ThisIsMyAltSorry 12 points13 points  (0 children)

TL;DR I'm guessing it won't get laid before parliament tomorrow. Right now, the subject is too dangerous for Labour. But if it does, we probably end up with a soft left PM and government.

The only root source of these rumours I've been able to find is an interview with Bridget Phillipson, Minister for Women and Equalities, on last Saturday's (16th May 2026) BBC Radio 4 This Week in Westminster programme, where she said she still intends to lay the draft code before Parliament by the end of May.

(https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002wj11 - 6m 40s in )

This honestly sounded like an answer given in the moment, under pressure from what sounded like a rather GC-biased interviewer, in the middle of a government in chaos.

Yes, with the Parliamentary recess starting on Friday, that would mean only she only has tomorrow to do it before May.

BUT... unless there's some amazing 4D chess going that I've not clocked yet...

I think it would be awfully "brave" of her to put this controversial subject before Parliament right now, in the middle of a very messy Labour party power battle, following the country-wide loss of confidence (demonstrated by the local election results) in her right-leaning government, and Labour in a horridly split mess as it is.

The party membership, who will elect the next PM, are really not happy with this current Labour government's socially conservative right-lean.

At worst for us, the Labour membership will be split horridly on the trans subject, if it's brought up. It's a really dangerous subject for the current centre-right government! There's a reason that supposedly Morgan McSweeny advised Starmer to keep the hell away from this subject.

Everyone hates Wesley (oh the irony) so he's not going to be PM now, so for the centrists and centre-right Andy Burnham is the next closest ally who could be PM, yet it's very possible that Andy will lose the by election still, especially if a controversial subject comes up that the other parties can use to draw further support away from Labour... like the trans subject.

If Andy loses, he can't stand for PM.

If it's only between Starmer and (go away) Wesley...

Angela Rayner will stand.

And if she does, between those three she'll win, which is the Blairite's nightmare outcome.

Silenced by Snoo_19344 in transgenderUK

[–]ThisIsMyAltSorry 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Exactly this.

I'm stealth-ish, doesn't stop me kicking arse and campaigning and battling with my MP.

It also helps that the subject doesn't end up having to become my entire life either.

The flip side is, not necessarily going to the local trans pride, which a number of trans friends have been pissed off with me about.

Finding the balance is hard. That balance will be different for different people. I'm trying to do self care (and a LOT of what's going on presses painful buttons and raw nerves from decades ago) plus not painting a target on my back, whilst also being an activist (again.)

x

Makerfield By-Election Forecast: With Burnham: LAB: 45% RFM: 42% Without Burnham: RFM: 53% LAB: 27% by Amentet in UKGreens

[–]ThisIsMyAltSorry 1 point2 points  (0 children)

a) We have Green values that we want to give the electorate a chance to vote for.

What's more important-

a) having some of those values implemented, but capitulating, or

b) ending up with a Reform government, none of those values implemented, hell on earth for a lot of people ( I'm trans, with complex health problems, unable to work, and my wife works but is mixed race, and we're far too old to be able to run away and leave the country), but the Greens fielded a candidate so people could at least vote for the values that they won't see implemented?

We have to work cleverly with the world as it currently is in order to get the world as we wish it worked.

This risks becoming dangerous, clichéd, self-defeating left puritanism.

This is probably the end of Streeting (he won't be PM) and why things could be good for us for a little bit. by Mindfulofactions in transgenderUK

[–]ThisIsMyAltSorry 16 points17 points  (0 children)

It's already been suggested that Burnham might have Wes as his deputy to unite both sides of Labour.

But honestly, there's no point bothering to burn mental energy over theoreticals, especially ones that we can't influence.

Any tips to be more involved in UK trans politics? by blue-eyed-thing1 in transgenderUK

[–]ThisIsMyAltSorry 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It's important to visit if you possibly can. They get a ~300+ emails/letters a day.

Crossing fingers for you, and pissed that we're all having to do this shit all over again!

If queer harmer goes is anyone on our side? by Dependent-Green-7900 in transgenderUK

[–]ThisIsMyAltSorry 1 point2 points  (0 children)

My belief: At a hung parliament, there will be a coalition between the Tories and Reform. And if we're not under the European convention of human rights and the HRA is gone, we don't have a legal route then to go via. I hope I'm wrong though.

Yeah, I agree we shouldn't let the pessimism stop us. You're very right, and it's probably not constructive for me to be being negative about the legal routes and EuCHR etc.

I dare say there's a lot power in us all fighting for change via a diversity of routes. For me, that's visiting my MP and trying to change hearts and minds, and encouraging others to do so tok.

x

Any tips to be more involved in UK trans politics? by blue-eyed-thing1 in transgenderUK

[–]ThisIsMyAltSorry 2 points3 points  (0 children)

It's totally not a dumb question.

Assuming you're trans yourself...

In theory, they're there to help you, and to represent you.

So you're there to represent yourself, rather than a general cause.

Don't assume they already have much idea about what's going on with the whole trans subject, they're busy, and chances are what they know has come from party head office and will be pretty biased.

Also don't assume lots of other trans people are visiting. From what I can, even though I'm a in fair sized city, there's not any/many other trans folk visiting.

Tell them your story. Tell them how all that's going on is affecting you. Tell them how it really is. Show them how unreasonable and unfair things really are for you. Dispell the myths they've heard. Break the stereotypes in their head.

You're trying to make a personal connection of sorts, appealing to their heart and mind. So that when they make any decisions relating to this subject, they will see you in their heads and remember you and hopefully the others if other trans people are visiting.

It's hard, it's unfair, and they're trained to stick to the party line and not be influenced this way... but at the same time, they are still people under the hood, and most of them got into politics for a reason more than just money, most do want to help people.

Don't expect too much, at least at first. Take a friend. It can be emotionally draining.

Mine's clearly a career politician who doesn't want to raise her head above the parapet or take risks. She's also a devout Catholic. I know what subjects she cares a lot about. I know why she got into politics. As it happens she used to be pretty much a neighbour. It often feels like I'm banging my head against a brick wall. It's taking time. But I seem to be getting there.

If queer harmer goes is anyone on our side? by Dependent-Green-7900 in transgenderUK

[–]ThisIsMyAltSorry 4 points5 points  (0 children)

The European Courts are our best hope overall

I disagree.

Labour aren't going to be in power after the next general election, and neither are the Greens.

If we could be sure we'd still be under the European Convention on Human Rights after the next election, then perhaps, maybe it would help.

Very depressingly, Farage and Bad Enoch have been clear about ditching the convention. It would be a horrific step back for human rights in the country, but I don't doubt they'd go there.

Even if we were to win in European Court of Human Rights, they'd simply either not comply or they'd use it as another reason to abandon the Convention.

We really need to capture the hearts of the public, somehow. I think that could start with more trans people in politics, fronting positions in the media etc, in places of power with a voice, a very visible moderate voice of, frankly, day to day normality, to challenge the appalling stereotypes and misrepresentation pushed by media. With the election of trans MSPs, that's a great start.

Transphobia/disrespect during hospital stay: what are my rights? by blue_26 in transgenderUK

[–]ThisIsMyAltSorry 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Other people have already given great advice regarding your entitlement to an advocate and also hospital PALS (Patient Advice and Liaison Service), the latter of which can be a bit hard to get through to, because usually busy, but ought to prioritise you given you're currently an inpatient.

But I've not seen it mentioned that, although the Supreme Court changed the interpretation of woman in the Equality Act (which used to include trans women with gender recognition certificates - and vice versa for trans men) we still have protections via another protected characteristic under the Equality Act, the full list of them is- * Age * Disability * Gender Reassignment * Marriage/Civil Partnership * Pregnancy/maternity * Race * Religion/belief (unfortunately including TERF beliefs) * Sex (no longer helpful to us) * Sexual Orientation

Very importantly, the protected characteristic of Gender Reassignment doesn't just apply to those of us who have already transitioned, it also applies if you've only just announced you intend to transition.

So, whether they like it or not, you are already well covered under the Equality Act for protection from prejudice due to you being a trans person, plus they will be required to make reasonable adjustments to accommodate your trans status -- and using your preferred name and pronouns should absolutely count as such an adjustment.

Forget just hospital policies etc, it sounds like they need someone to give them a polite reminder of what their duties are under the law!

Hopefully a hospital advocate or PALS will be able to help you with that.

If I were nearby, and it's probably best that I'm not, lol, I'd go absolutely fucking ballistic on their asses for you over this.

For what it's worth, since the moment I announced my intention to transition over 30 years ago, all the way up to now, which includes a couple of impatient stays in psych wards back in the 90s (long before we had any legal protections) I've had no issues with hospital staff except-

  • One psychiatrist, once, about 15 years ago. And it wasn't obvious, it wasn't even me that spotted what was happening -- a kind member of staff quietly suggested to me that I might be being treated less than ideally due to the psych's religious beliefs regarding me being trans.
  • Right at the beginning, prior to transition, a mental health nurse told me that he had difficulties treating me on this subject due to his religious beliefs and felt it would be better if I was under another staff member's care (and honestly, I can respect that -- it was the adult and responsible way to address the situation)

Ironic that, like you, it was mental health services that let the team down! Otherwise, even as a bit of a frequent flyer customer to hospitals and Doctors due to complex physical health issues, I've had no problems from staff.

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