Representatives from Wokingham Pride headed to London last Saturday to show their support for the trans community at London Trans Pride.
Wokingham Pride trustee, Imogen Shepherd-Dubey, said: “We’re very concerned about the way that the rights of trans people are under attack.
“The government are considering adopting US-style ‘bathroom bills’ which would ban trans women from using the women’s toilets, even if they have fully transitioned and have been using them without problems for many years.
“They are suggesting that trans men may be unable to use either women’s or men’s toilets, and that staff in shops, restaurants and gyms – many of whom are in their teens and early 20s – should be forced to police this”.
Around 100,000 people joined the peaceful event in central London. She added: “Throughout the day, even on the train into London, strangers saw our signs and came up to us expressing support.
““Trans people are under attack without justification, and it’s got much worse since Trump started to attack trans people in the US”.
“No one should have to show their birth certificate to use a public toilet or to take part in community activities”, added Pride trustee Rachel Bishop-Firth.
“The government is attacking women’s book clubs and walking groups.
“Anti-trans campaigners are suggesting that self-appointed toilet police should ‘expose’ people who they believe to be trans, by sharing photographs of them online.
“This is already leading to women who are tall or who have a more ‘masculine’ appearance, being harassed”.
Earlier this month, Wokingham came together for its biggest Pride event yet. Wokingham Pride supports the Borough’s LGBTQ+ community support all year round, and is proud to be fully trans inclusive.
