News / protest
Hundreds stand in solidarity with Bristol’s trans community
Hundreds of people gathered at a peaceful rally held in solidarity with Bristol’s trans community.
The event created a platform for trans, non-binary and intersex voices to be heard; with speakers including Labour councillor Kaz Self, Bristol’s first female councillor to be elected while openly trans.
Green Party co-leader Carla Denyer and Married At First Site star Ella Morgan were among the other speakers in front of City Hall.
is needed now More than ever
‘No LGB without the T’ – photo: Rob Browne
Prime minister Keir Starmer and Harry Potter author JK Rowling came in for particular criticism from speakers and also those in the crowd on College Green on Saturday afternoon.
The rally took place after the UK’s Supreme Court ruled that the legal definition of a woman is based on biological sex.
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Placards on show in the crowd included those saying ‘trans rights are human rights’, ‘erased in law’ and ‘no terfs on our turf’.
Speaking to the crowd, Morgan said: “Protecting women is absolutely at the forefront of my end goal, but discriminating against trans women isn’t the solution and we are now more at risk with the changes ruled by
the Supreme Court…
“This isn’t going to be an easy journey, but I want to make sure that I’m using my voice and experience to benefit so many others and anyone who wants to join me on this journey, I’d love to have you on my side.
“Being trans isn’t a choice. It’s either life as my true self as a woman or death.
“Being a woman isn’t one style either. There are all kinds of women and everyone has a different journey to womanhood.
“I’m no less of a woman than anybody else. I’m just a different type of woman and I’m a fabulous one at that.
“None of what has happened this week is going to change how I see myself nor is it going to change how I continue day to day.
‘Prove my sex? You prove yours’ – photo: Rob Browne
Morgan – who said her pronouns are “she, her and icon” – added: “I’ve fought so long and hard to be seen and recognised as a woman and whether that’s legally on paper or not it doesn’t matter because I am a woman and always will be and the ones who get it get it, and the ones who don’t don’t.
“But I will not stop fighting for our freedom and trans joy, and I can use my voice and knowledge to educate those who struggle to understand.
“Segregation is not the answer.”
‘Sisterhood not cis-terhood’ – photo: Rob Browne
Main photo: Rob Browne
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