THE TRANSGENDER MANIFESTO – WITH THANKS TO CLAIRE FOR WRITING & SHARING:
(Note these views are the authors and may not be those of others).
A Manifesto for Trans Rights in the UK
Preface
I’m going to be the first to admit that compiling this document is the result of random thoughts & issues on trans rights generated by an incandescent rage that’s been building over the course of 2020.
It’s my view of what needs to change and why partly written as catharsis in an attempt to convince myself that we can make things better. It’s not exhaustive. But as far as I’m concerned, this is the bare minimum, and I may add to it as I go..
Some of these changes will benefit minority groups as a whole, but my focus here is solely on addressing transgender issues in order to make UK society safe for trans & non-binary people.
As such, this comes from a viewpoint that inclusion of trans people in society is the only acceptable standard in all cases, and establishing and protecting that inclusion is paramount.
Why?
History has repeatedly shown us that cisgender people simply cannot be trusted to do what is best for us, and refuse to listen to us.
Therefore limits must be placed on how cisgender people, and cisgender people who are trans hostile, in particular, can affect and influence trans lives and rights.
With that said, what changes do we need to make, as a society, in order to make things safe for trans people?
To Reiterate:
These are my views only, & subject to change. This does not reflect the views of all trans people as a group.
Claire.
Sections
Health Care
Trans healthcare in the UK is unfit for purpose. It relies on outdated science and methodology, is based on the view that being trans is wrong / broken and in need of fixing, and designed in order to prevent as many trans people from accessing services as possible in a misguided attempt to stop a single cisgender person from “making a mistake” by transitioning.
GIC services are run as individual fiefdoms within the NHS with little consistency between them.
Services need to be rebuilt from the ground up, and trans-led/accountable.
Mental Health
Transgender people in the UK are still treated by the NHS as if we have a mental illness. Outside of Gender Dysphoria, all issues that affect trans people’s mental health are caused and amplified by cisgender people via social stigma, intolerance, misinformation and hate, resulting in deep trauma.
Gender Incongruence often also goes hand in hand with other issues such as ADHD / Autism, which are not causes of Gender Incongruence but are used to excuse/deny treatment and the existence of transgender identities.
Legal Recognition
Legal recognition for trans people in the UK is a complete mess.
Politics & Political Parties
There are not enough oversight or checks and balances on the UK political establishment, both in general terms and in regards to equality issues.
Media & Press
Quite simply, the UK media and press, in particular, are out of control and incapable of self-regulation. IPSO / OFCOM are toothless and not fit for purpose.
Social Media
Hatred of minorities on social media is completely out of control. It is clear these bodies are completely incapable of self-regulation.
Equality Act
Hate Crime
Hate crime laws must be strengthened to include dealing with hate from organisations & campaign groups, with the founding or controlling members of such groups liable for criminal breaches.
Political Issue Campaign Groups
Yes, this is intended to directly target the formation of hate groups.
Claire can be found on Twitter @ClaireExists and you can follow me @PlaceSteph
Updated 18/1/21
