Govt consultation on banning social media for under‑16s is live. The questions feel leading and a ban seems inevitable. As someone who grew up with LGBT info withheld from me under Thatcher, I think this will cut vulnerable teens off from support networks and information. www.gov.uk/government/c...
Two women face life-imprisonment for kissing under Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality Act, introduced in 2023, one of the harshest homophobic laws in the world.
We've been repeatedly promised a full ban on conversion practices in the UK by successive governments and yet we've seen more momentum behind banning youth from social media, a thing that conversion therapists have been actively advocating for.
The problem of conversion therapy is, as ever, not that conversion therapy doesn't work (although that's true) but that it constitutes an act of violence to suppress almost exclusively vulnerable people's core psychological development and that is devastating.
Not only will this never actually work (conversion practices never actually succeed in their aims as being trans or queer is not a choice) it will do extreme harm in the attempt.
Thankfully this guidance does not apply in Scotland. We must resist any attempt to implement similar here.
This guidance is horrifying, and translates as the *expectation* that schools be permitted to force young trans people back into the closet in most circumstances.
The expectation that doing so could successfully pressure them into no longer being trans into adulthood.
Institutionalised conversion
Too often policy makers look for quick and dramatic interventions that minimally impact themselves.
Like a ban on teenagers on social media.
They either do not care, or actively support, the fact they are cutting off many young people from the communities that provide them support away from home.
Many queer and trans young people rely on social media to find community and acceptance.
Especially those whose communities and families may by hostile to their identities.
Such as those being forced through the abuse that are conversion practices.
Social media is a lifeline to them.
A purple image with a pink clock on a blue background on the right. On the left hand side there is text that reads "This LGBT+ History Month... Ask the Scottish Government - how will history remember this? Do they want to be remembered for standing up for trans people's rights when it really counted or, for standing by when they were at risk?" The Equality Network and Scottish Trans logos are at the bottom.
How will this be remembered?
This History Month, we’re asking you to get in touch with the Scottish Government to ask them how their actions now will be remembered in the years to come: equalrecognition.eaction.org.uk/howwillthisb...
Actually we don't talk nearly enough about conversion "therapy" or how evil it is or the fact that many people who go through it never fully recover.
So many people, even cishet allies, think it's just like ineffectual talk therapy and that misconception is so dangerous.
A text graphic with a purple and pink background that says 'Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe Supports a Ban on Conversion Practices'
We are thrilled to see that the Parliament of the Council of Europe (PACE) has voted in favour of a resolution calling for member states to ban conversion practices.
This year we have a major opportunity to deliver a ban on conversion practices in Scotland.
Don't let us be left behind by Europe.
Vote for candidates who back a ban!
Sex Matters tried to block a ban on conversion practices, but the Council of Europe has voted to make it illegal
goodlawproject.org/council-of-e...
Watch this space - We will soon be launching our campaign for candidates across the political spectrum to back our demand for an inclusive and comprehensive ban on Conversion Practices in Scotland.
We are confident more will sign up this election than did so in 2021 - progress is coming.
Reads: What is trans-exclusionary data activism? And the logo for the Gender + Sexuality Data Lab.
New research maps the campaign to erase trans people from UK data 🔢
This peer-reviewed article offers the first detailed account of how UK campaign groups have sought to define sex as strictly biological across the census, policing, healthcare and digital ID.
doi.org/10.1080/0958...
"Almost 1/3 of LGBTI people have been offered or been subjected to a ”conversion therapy”, with transgender people, children and young people particularly at risk"
"This issue is not only a public health concern. It also relates directly to the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms."
Yesterday the Council of Europe Committee on Equality and Non-Discrimination unanimously adopted a report from @kateosbornemp.bsky.social calling for an inclusive and comprehensive ban on conversion practices.
pace.coe.int/en/news/1013...
Graphic with a pale purple background. At the top, in a blue arrow, it says "We are launching our new strategy 2026-2029" The Equality Network and Scottish Trans logos are underneath. Below the arrow is a drawing of the outlines of a large group of people, going in a gradient of green to purple from left to right. At the bottom it says "Read more at: equality-network.org/our-strategy-2026-2029"
Graphic with a dark purple background. In a pale purple box it says "Today we launch our new 3-year Strategy. Our community is strong, and we are not going anywhere. We are more driven than ever to work together to demand, seek and enable tangible and progressive change for the better for all LGBTQIA+ people in Scotland." The Equality Network and Scottish Trans logos are in the bottom right corner. In the bottom left corner it says "equality-network.org/our-strategy-2026-2029"
Today, we launch our new three-year strategy.
It lays out how we will move forward, work together to push back, sustain and protect what we have already achieved, and together move towards progressive and meaningful change.
Read more: www.equality-network.org/resources/ou...
We're glad for every single place, organisation, and institution that still keeps the door open for inclusion of trans children to enable them to live as who they are.
We work towards a future where no LGBTQ+ person need ever choose between who they are or to be driven out by hatred.
Trans children are being faced with a choice, one enforced by legal threats funded by a billionaire to bully the organisations that have included them for so long - get back into the closet or be cut off from society.
No one wants this other than those consumed by hatred - backed by extreme wealth.
6/8🧵
Twenty-two years ago today Section 28 was repealed.
But we're seeing history repeat itself as some in the media and in politics spread bigotry and misinformation about trans people.
1/8🧵
When the Pope can treat trans people with humanity there is a message sent.
That message is important, especially here in Scotland where over 1 in 8 people are Catholic.
A graphic with a pink a blue gradient background. In the centre there is a purple box, with white text that reads "Some more thoughts and updates following the Supreme Court ruling". Underneath this text are the Equality Network and Scottish Trans logos.
We wanted to share some more updates following April’s Supreme Court ruling on the meaning of ‘sex’ in the Equality Act 2010, and some ways that you can help.
Read our full update here: www.scottishtrans.org/supreme-cour...
In several areas there has been agreement from those across the spectrum that some greater clarity is needed from the proposed legislation.
We hope these are acted upon to ensure everyone can be clear on both their rights and the rights of the LGBTQ+ not to be subjected to these horrific practices.
As the End Conversion Practices consultation responses are published today we are glad to see a Scottish Government response that recommits to a comprehensive and inclusive ban on conversion practices delivered to parliament by 2027.
www.gov.scot/publications...
Today, along with over 80 partner organisations, we are writing to MPs across the UK, calling for robust Parliamentary scrutiny of the Equality and Human Rights Commission’s (EHRC) forthcoming Code of Practice on Services, Public Functions and Associations. "Any change to law or policy that risks the human rights of any group should be subject to full Parliamentary oversight. ... Anything less would represent a serious failure of parliamentary duty."
What can you do? Write to your MP! Together, we have created a template letter that you can use to express your personal concerns and asking them to push for proper scrutiny of the Code. It is incredibly important that MPs hear from their constituents that are directly affected, so they can advocate on your behalf. Please personalise your letter as much as you can - it helps to ensure that your concerns are heard and felt. Link to the template on our website!
Today, along with over 80 partner organisations, we are writing to MPs across the UK calling for robust Parliamentary scrutiny of the Equality and Human Rights Commission’s (EHRC) forthcoming Code of Practice. Read the full statement on our website:
www.scottishtrans.org/scottish-tra...
Conversion practices include coercive behaviour to force someone to suppress their trans gender identity.
"Schools are still under a legal obligation to ensure appropriate provision is provided, and that trans kids feel safe."
goodlawproject.org/what-have-i-...
EXACTLY as trans people predicted...
Cis women & non-binary people are being harassed & assaulted in toilets since the supreme court misjudgement. @libbybrooks.bsky.social in the Guardian.
I'm now working on a way to monitor, document and record incidents like these.
Attn @cliveefford.bsky.social
If you have been stopped, challenged or harassed when using a gendered space (such as toilets or changing rooms) since the UK's Supreme Court ruling on the Equality Act we need to hear from you.
Let us know at: tinyurl.com/ReportALoo
#Trans #Transgender #Nonbinary #Queer #LGBTQIA #LGBTQ #LGBT
