The Labour Party Conference and Trans Equality.

The Labour Party Conference and Trans Equality.

A blog from Steph Richards, our CEO.

At 9:00 AM on Sunday, 28 September 2025, TransLucent made history as the first trans advocacy organisation to exhibit this century at the Labour Conference 2025. Our team consisted of six people: four worked inside the exhibition hall and two were stationed outside. We would have been seven, but sadly, our director, Prof Stephen Whittle OBE, was unwell. 

Some will wonder why we went.

Because for sure this Labour Government, which basically promised to be “kind” to trans people in their manifesto, who pledged to detoxify the debate of our existence, has done nothing of the sort. Indeed, they have done the exact opposite, causing immense harm – a harm that will worsen if our gender-critical “human rights” body has its way.

Sadly, our Minister for Health and Social Care has denied trans kids puberty blockers (in fact, denied trans kids healthcare full stop) – succeeding only in getting an increase in trans youth “DIYing”, dramatically increasing the number of parents taking their trans children abroad for gender-affirming healthcare, with some moving abroad permanently.

Trans kids exist, and the reason the Minister took the action he did is not that he is “anti-trans” … it is because he is incredibly badly advised. 

TERF Island remains firmly “TERF” …. for now.

In essence, that is what “gender-critical ideology” is: to make it as hard as possible to transition, and for those who do, make life as unbearable as possible. 

Sadly, the decision makers – those in government- do not understand how or why trans people have had our existence politicised. They do not understand that the trans hostile organisations use pseudoscience and twist facts to limit our existence. 

But there is a difference between the “government” who are influenced by civil servants, think tanks and in some instances named hate groups such as SEGM, whose members participated in the Cass Review and the party members, local authority councillors and backbench MPs. These are the people we wanted to reach.

Trans Equality.

Trans equality will not arrive this week, next week, or next year, but in years to come.

Younger people are driving it, dynamic people and some older people with “skin in the game” or perhaps by having trans relatives, as is the case for some MPs.

Our fringe team (those who did not have passes inside the secure area) distributed thousands of leaflets promoting our “Trans Equality in Action” campaign, while also distributing leaflets highlighting the NION campaign, which now has over 55,000 female signatories, stating that the gender-critical ideology movement does not speak for them.

Our core demands for equality are:

• Targeted initiatives for workplace inclusion.
• Legal recognition of the non-binary community (X identification docs)
• Urgent correction of the Supreme Court judgment.
• Urgent improvements to healthcare access and quality.
• Concerted efforts to combat hate crimes and foster social acceptance.
• Enhanced support in housing and education.
• Proactive promotion of political representation and public office.

Our fringe team also distributed 1000s of leaflets highlighting our action regarding Hampstead Heath Ladies Pond. Inside the hall, we spoke to Peers, MPs, Councillors, and Labour Party members, all of whom were highly supportive.

A massive “shout-out” to Labour for Trans Rights, who worked closely with TransLucent, and put together a hugely successful trans rally where some fifteen or so MPs and trade union general secretaries spoke – as did an old trans woman (me).

Next year?

Of course, as many political party conferences as possible – bigger, better, bolder – until trans people have equality. 

Steph Richards, CEO TransLucent.Org.UK

The Labour Party Conference and Trans Equality.