YDRF and Trans Rights
At YDRF, we advocate for human rights for all. We strongly believe that everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. Disability Rights UK have posted an article about how the struggles for the rights of disabled people and trans people are interlinked.
Several studies from charities such as Trans Actual UK and Stonewall, and the Office for National Statistics have confirmed that trans people are more likely to be disabled. That they have a shorter life expectancy. That they are more likely to be neurodivergent. And that they are at much higher risk of experiencing mental health conditions. Our struggles together are linked, and we must be intersectional when looking at disability.
We believe in human rights for all disabled people. And we believe everyone has a right to not live in fear and not be a victim of hate.
Supreme Court Ruling
The Supreme Court Ruling on 16th April 2025 stated that the Equality Act 2010 refers only to ‘biological sex’ when referring to ‘sex’ as a protected characteristic.
It does also state that trans people remain a protected characteristic under the category of ‘gender reassignment.’ However, the ruling is being used to enforce trans people being excluded from single sex spaces, including public toilets, healthcare facilities and changing rooms. In an already hostile climate towards trans people, these spaces will now forcibly ‘out’ trans and non-binary people. It also affirms the lack of any legal recognition or protections for those who are non-binary.
At YDRF, we strongly believe that lived experience is integral when making policies, laws and doing anything that affects the lives of those involved. The Supreme Court Ruling did not involve any trans or non-binary people, groups or charities at any point in any of their decision making. This makes the ruling undemocratic by nature. The decision was incredibly biased by the many anti-trans activist groups who were involved in the decision making. Trans Actual UK have written more about this in their response.
York Trans Rights Protest
York LGBTQ+ Forum and The Portal Bookshop have organised a protest at St. Helen’s Square on Saturday 26th April 1pm. Please attend if you wish to show trans people your support. Trans people have always been fighting for the rights of other marginalised groups, and have been on the frontlines of LGBTQIA+ rights for decades. Now, more than ever, they need our support.
What else can we do to help?
You can also write to your local MP to ask for their support for trans and non-binary people, by fighting for their rights at parliament and supporting them publicly. Here is a template you can use.
Additionally, you can speak out against transphobia. Speaking up when someone is being discriminatory shows those people that their behaviour is not tolerated. You can also reach out to your trans and non-binary friends, colleagues and family to speak to them, support them and talk to them about the difficult things they will be going through at this time.