Trans Rights in Bassetlaw (TRiB)

On 3 February, Reform UK called an Extraordinary Meeting to discuss their anti-trans motion, claiming to “protect women and girls”. The motion was debated by the Bassetlaw District Council and was amended to remove much of the transphobic language. The amended motion was passed by an overwhelming majority of councillors, which now states that the Council will “fully comply with the Supreme Court ruling... once the government issues final, legally binding guidance for public bodies.” We remain clear that the original motion should have been rejected outright. Its premise was built on misleading and harmful assumptions about trans people, particularly trans women, which have had no place in local government. However, the Council’s decision to reject the underlying transphobic framing of the original proposal is very welcome.

Protecting women’s rights and safety means supporting all women, including trans women. Any genuine approach to the safeguarding of women and girls must consequently be grounded in inclusion, evidence, and respect for the rights of marginalised and minoritised groups. Moving forward, we will continue to hold the Council to its duty to act lawfully, proportionately, and in a way that upholds the dignity and equal treatment of all residents. We thank everyone who turned up to stand with the trans community on Tuesday evening. The support was overwhelming, and we far outnumbered our opposition. If that clear act of collective solidarity shows us anything, it is that trans people belong in Bassetlaw and that our community is stronger when we stand together against discrimination.

Our statement on the outcome of the BDC Extraordinary Meeting on 3 February.

The support that we received yesterday was overwhelming. If that shows us anything, it is that trans people belong in Bassetlaw and that our community is stronger when we stand together against discrimination 🏳️‍⚧️

Thanks so much to everyone who came out in support of the trans community in Bassetlaw this evening 🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍⚧️

The meeting has now closed. Thanks for following along 🏳️‍⚧️

This motion should have been rejected outright, but we are pleased that the Bassetlaw Council has seemingly rejected the underlying transphobic sentiment present within the original motion.

We will continue fighting for the safety & equal treatment of trans members of our community.

As the amendment was only made available to members of the public during the course of the meeting, we are still taking the time to assess the many changes it introduces to the original motion.

The motion (as amended) has been passed by the council. 26 for - 8 against.

The motion (as amended) is now being voted on by the council.

The amendment has been passed by a majority of councillors. 26 for - 8 against.

The amendment has carried and has become the substantive motion, which will now be considered by the council.

A vote is now being taken on the amendment.

For clarity, the member has been confirmed as Cllr Bowker.

The seconder of the motion has noted that in the past year there have been no complaints raised about trans members of the public in Bassetlaw. Conversely 16 trans people have submitted reports of harassment.

A Labour member of the council has spoken against the amendment, that has been proposed by his own party.

A member of the council is now speaking in favour of the motion, claiming that Reform UK are pushing a dangerous narrative, that is explicitly transphobic.

She notes that the motion is being submitted by the only single-sex space in the council: Reform UK, which has no female members.

The amendment has been ruled as valid.

Cllr McFarland is now presenting his objections to the amendment. Audible groans are heard from other councillors.

The amendment states that "the Bassetlaw Council resolves to fully comply with the Supreme Court ruling across all council buildings, services, policies, and commissioned activities, once government issues the final, legally binding guidance for public bodies"

The amendment, which was not shared in advance of the meeting, can be found here ⬇️

Cllr Slater (Labour) is proposing an amendment to the motion. The amendment has been seconded.

Cllr McFarland's introductory speech has been ruled out of time.

Another Reform cllr is now stating his support for the motion, claiming that the motion "isn't about hostility" to the trans community, whilst also insisting that trans women should use men's bathrooms.

The motion is now being heard. Cllr McFarland has proposed the motion, claiming that it isn't about "ideology or prejudice" whilst presenting an ideologically-driven interpretation of the For Women Scotland Supreme Court case, which would have the effect of excluding trans women from public life.

A complaint has been submitted by a member of the council in relation to small leaflets left on seats (by another member of the council) prior to the meeting.

A photo can be found below 👇🏻

The meeting has now started.

The Bassetlaw Council does not allow for members of the public to ask questions at extraordinary meetings. So we are only able to attend to observe.

Jo White, Bassetlaw MP who remains on the council, is not present.

It looks like the members gallery has reached capacity. Shockingly the council has selected a room with space for only 40 members of the public to observe the meeting.

Some of our supporters are still outside 📸

The motion, proposed by Reform councillors, would ban trans women from council services, commissioned activities and spaces.

Supporters of Reform have already been shouting abuse at members of the public as they enter the meeting.

The Bassetlaw District Council meeting, convened to debate Reform's anti-trans motion, will be starting shortly.

We'll try to share updates and info here about what is happening throughout the meeting.

📢 Today’s the day! Join us at 5:30 pm in Old Market Square for a peaceful demo in support of the local trans community.

Let’s send a clear message to the Council: reject Reform UK’s motion and reaffirm its commitment to the safety, dignity, and equal treatment of all Bassetlaw residents 🏳️‍⚧️

Meeting Point: Old Market Square, Worksop. Date/time: Tuesday, 3 February. Council Meeting Attendance: If you want to attend the council meeting itself, we recommend arriving early & joining the line at the council building entrance, as the council chamber only has 40 seats. For those who do not wish to attend the meeting, a group will remain in the Old Market Square.

Stay in Groups - Do not go anywhere alone. If you need support, just ask! Do NOT Engage with Transphobes Arguments are exactly what they want. Stay calm and don’t rise to provocation. If You Feel Unsafe - Leave immediately and find another group member or organiser. Bring a Face Mask (optional) - for safety and to protect against sickness. You may also wish to have something on hand to protect your identity from filming.

Join us at the Old Market Square at 5:30pm on Tuesday, 3 February to show support for trans people in our community 🏳️‍⚧️

If you wish to attend the council meeting, please make sure to arrive early. Doors won't open until 6pm, but we expect people to start queuing from 5:15pm, due to limited seating.

This petition closes tonight and we are JUST shy of 700 signatures.
If you haven't signed, please do, just to show that people don't buy in to Reform's game of minority scapegoat roulette.

Open Letter to the Bassetlaw District Council in Defence of Trans Residents On February 3rd, Bassetlaw District Council will vote on a motion proposed by Reform councillors. This motion isn't just "misleading"—it’s dangerous. It seeks to ban trans women from council services...

⏰ Last chance to sign and share!

Our open letter urging Bassetlaw Council to reject a discriminatory motion targeting trans people closes on 1 February at 23:59.

Add your name now and share widely. Every signature strengthens the call to reject this motion.

🖋️ you.38degrees.org.uk/p/trans-righ...

If this motion was really about protecting women & girls, as the title suggests, it would address the true causes of violence against women: domestic abuse, harassment, systemic male violence.

We will be at this council meeting to stand up for the trans community. We ask that you join us there 🏳️‍⚧️

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