Over the last few days, conservative politicians have ruthlessly targeted the trans and non-binary community with hateful rhetoric.
On 3 October, Health Secretary Steve Barclay announced a series of new proposals for the NHS that would strip away trans-inclusive policies.
“We need a common-sense approach to sex and equality issues in the NHS – that is why today I am announcing proposals for clearer rights for patients,” he claimed during the Conservative Party conference in Manchester.
One proposal that Barclay mentioned would repeal a 2021 NHS policy that allowed transgender patients “the right to use any spaces, facilities and activities appropriate to their gender identity.”
If passed, trans people would be moved to individual rooms or specific areas for treatment.
A day after Barclay’s shocking appearance, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak made a slew of transphobic comments during his keynote speech at the aforementioned conference.
“Patients should know when the hospitals are talking about men or women. We shouldn’t get bullied into believing that people can be any sex they want to be. They can’t,” he said.
“A man is a man, and a woman is a woman, that’s just common sense.”
Sunak’s harmful and archaic comments didn’t go unnoticed, with an array of LGBTQIA+ activists and organisations criticising his actions across various statements and social media posts.
In response to the rise of anti-trans hate, pop superstar Smith took to their Instagram to deliver a heartfelt message to the queer and trans community.
“To all trans/non-binary and gender non-conforming people in the UK right now…” they wrote, per LGBTQ Nation.
“You are not alone. You are humanity, and you’re life MATTERS. Sending every one of you so much love.”
Smith isn’t the only celebrity to slam conservatives and their hateful rhetoric.
In a short X thread, Drag Race UK star Cheddar Gorgeous wrote: “In the 2021 census 0.2% identified as trans, and 0.1% in Non binary ways. If watching rich powerful people bully minorities isn’t enough to irk you, you should be angry that policies that only impact 0.3% of the population, are being touted as this governments priorities.”
“They don’t want people to notice the economy isn’t recovering, they have lined the pockets of their donors, interest rates are at a historic high, and they cancelled HS2. Trans people are just an easy sacrificial lamb to throw to an ignorant ‘party faithful.’”
Actress, producer and LGBTQIA+ activist Georgia Tennant echoed similar sentiments in her own statement.
“I have written and erased so many furious tweets. So many things I want to say but actually, in this moment, only one thing I need to. So; To the trans community, I stand with you now and always. I, like you, am going nowhere,” she wrote.
For more reactions to the Conservative Party conference and Sunak’s closing speech, click here.