Online Hate Against Trans Women: A Condemnation Statement.
Trans people wish to live as their true selves, free from persecution, prejudice and discrimination. Accordingly, we condemn in the strongest possible terms the ongoing personal attacks against trans women by gender-critical “celebrities,” organisations, right-wing media and their supporters, purely because these people are openly transgender.
On April 1st 2024, a new law called the ‘Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act’ was enacted to protect people in society with protected characteristic status from hate. Most reasonable people believe this is a positive step forward.
However, those who wish to propagate their ongoing hate against the trans community have both targeted and smeared some high-profile trans women, making their lives an utter misery and putting them both physically and psychologically at risk.
We specifically call out the hate against:
Mridul Wadhwa: is a name synonymous with advocacy in Scotland. As the CEO of the Edinburgh Rape Crisis Centre, her dedication to women’s rights, trans rights, and support for survivors of violence shines brightly.
Mridul’s journey in the equality and anti-violence sectors began in 2005. Since then, her work has empowered countless individuals. From leading at Shakti Women’s Aid to help coordinating training at Rape Crisis Scotland, her experience is vast. Her passion for creating safe spaces and fostering a culture of support is evident in her leadership of the Edinburgh Rape Crisis Centre.
Munroe Bergdorf: Model, activist, and broadcaster, she uses her platform to champion LGBTQLGBTQ LGBTQIA+ is an inclusive term that includes people of all genders and sexualities, such as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning, queer, intersex, asexual, pansexual, and allies. While each letter in LGBTQIA+ stands for a specific group of people, the term encompasses the entire spectrum of gender fluidity and sexual identities. https://abbreviations.yourdictionary.com/what-does-lgbtqia-stand-for-full-acronym-explained.html https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LGBT+ rights and fight for a more inclusive world.
Munroe is fearless in having tough conversations, either through her writing in British Vogue or hosting her podcast “The Way We Are,” she brings a powerful voice to important issues. Munroe is a role model for gender-variant people and transgender youth, and her work with organisations like Mermaids creates safe spaces and fosters understanding.
India Willoughby: A British media icon has shattered glass ceilings for our community. As the first transgender national newsreader and co-host of the popular talk show ‘Loose Women’, she’s brought vital representation to television. India’s journey is one of courage and self-acceptance. She’s a talented broadcaster who uses her platform to advocate for equality and understanding. Her infectious positive spirit and sharp wit make her a role model for the trans community.
Katie Neeves: impact extends far beyond her journey. As the founder of Cool2BTrans and a member of the TransLucent team, she has become a beacon of hope and understanding, often being platformed on TV. Katie raises trans awareness, educates and fosters acceptance of trans people, breaking down barriers and challenges stereotypes. She received the British Diversity Awards Hero of the Year 2023 and was named the East Midlands Outstanding Female LGBTQIA+ Champion 2023. She was also voted as one of the top 100 influential people in the UK and is listed on the Global Diversity List 2023.
Katie would like to make these specific points:
- Hate speech leads to and encourages hate acts. Recent hateful tweets directly caused me to receive thousands of messages of hate. Deliberate lies have been told about me – making me out to be a sexual pervert. I never stole my sister’s knickers. I tried them on when I was around three years old and when my sister was around six. It’s what kids do.
- Recent tweets have implied that all trans people are sex offenders – this is wholly untrue.
- I am a delegate for UNWomen UK, but I was just one of 6000 delegates of ALL genders who want to make the World a better place for all women.
- The more that people peddle transphobic hate messages, the more they show themself up to be hateful – trashing their OWN reputation.
In the past decade, hate crimes against the trans community, specifically trans women, have increased by 1513%, and the direct cause of this horrifying statistic is the gender-critical movement.
We have seen the murder of a young trans girl linked to transphobia. We have also seen an award-winning trans woman with decades of experience working with health charities vilified by the right-wing media for volunteering to help a charity that principally supports women.
TransLucent .Org.UK says enough.
History will judge the persecutors as has happened in the past.
Published 17:30 2nd April 2024 – Online Hate Against Trans Women: A Condemnation Statement.
