LGBTQ

Thandeka and Ramona must be disqualified

Most cis women I know, including myself, have experienced sexual harassment and abuse at the hands of cis men throughout our lives. Trans women are also vulnerable (some would argue more so) to the same abuse by cis men. They pose no threat - just look at the statistics, which illustrate clearly that cis men are predominantly the perpetrators of violence against women. Overwhelmingly, most cis women do not feel threatened by trans people at all, and this moral panic needs to stop. Cis men do not try to disguise themselves as women to abuse women, they do it every day in plain sight all the time - on public transport, in the street, at a concert or pub, and in our homes. Stripping an already marginalised and persecuted minority of their dignity and rights is not going to protect women (cis or trans) and if anything, is going to make cis women more vulnerable to abuse. I stand in solidarity with our trans siblings - together we are stronger.

I see the deeply negative and distressing effects that this ruling has already had on my trans friends. I had believed and hoped that our society had been moving in a more inclusive direction, but this ruling counters so many of those positive steps that had been taken.
This ruling is not in my name.

I truly don't know what to say - I cannot believe that this petition is even needed. Trans women are NOT a threat to anyone - they are amongst the most marginalised in society and deserve to be loved and protected. I've never felt anything other than completely safe with every single trans person I've ever met. The same cannot be said for Cis Men. Please please let's stop this madness and restore the safety, rights and dignity of trans people in the UK.