26/05/2026
Our statement about the EHRC guidance
What a bloody mess! What is there to add that other organisations haven’t already said? They have all done an excellent job pointing out that this is guidance that gives businesses the legal permission to restrict communal spaces by biological s*x.
It is a right to exclude, not a mandatory law.
Many businesses will keep operating exactly as they do now. Others like a local nightclub have taken the decision to make all loos gender neutral.
The overall purpose of the legislation is to drive Trans people out of public life. But whether it’s the admission that no document can be used to prove your gender identity, or the statement that people can be removed from a single s*x space just because someone doesn’t like the look of you, it shows that the guidelines are impossible to implement, unworkable, and could see venue owners in court for breaking other minorities rights.
We at Trans Pride Kent have fielded over 100 messages and calls this weekend not only from Trans folks but parents of Trans kids, siblings, teachers, students, even neighbours, all worried about what this means for themselves and for people they love.
While far right bigots masquerading as women’s rights activists or men concerned about women, are celebrating, for the majority it’s clear this situation can’t continue and will only get worse if allies don’t show up on mass.
Big organisations will undoubtedly test this in court, that will take money and time. Section 28 took 15 years to defeat. I’m mindful of those who we support, those we have yet to support and how they all need help now.
So what are Trans Pride Kent going to do?
It was wonderful to see the happiness and joy from those who attended TPK back in March. It felt like, for one afternoon, we could leave the world outside. Since then we have supported a raft of Trans people from across Kent in small but practical and often vital ways.
So we will raise our game. Push back harder, knock louder on closed doors. We will host more events, give out more books.
We are creating new peer support groups, we will continue to speak up, and yes ask those in both local and national government very awkward questions.
We will also be trying to launch new ideas. We will be back bigger next year for TPK 2 ‘this time it’s personal’ and in the meantime turn that rage into productivity, we need artists, activists, musicians, creatives, fundraisers and venues who will host events for us. Politicians and businesses, and of course allies who are willing to stand with us.
Over the weekend someone reminded me of the saying: "history is written by the those who hung heroes." My heroes are still there fighting for this fabulous community.
“Decisions are made by those who show up". We really need you to start showing up, getting involved and starting what is going to be a long struggle for change.
Don’t forget, our messages are always open and we are here to listen and support wherever we can.
