Suffolk Pride calls for the next government to do more to protect the LGBTQ+ community

The General Election is just under a month away

Author: Sian RochePublished 9th Jun 2024

A Suffolk charity supporting LGBTQ+ people in the county's telling us it wants the next government to do more to end discrimination.

With the General Election just under a month away, Suffolk Pride says political parties should be promising better protection for the community.

Kate Lankester's from the charity - she's not convinced politicians are currently listening to their needs: "At the moment, for the last couple of years we've been thrusted into the forefront of general politics.

"We're very aware the trans and non-binary communities are being used as political pawns...

"We're now hearing certain political parties have plans to change the Equalities Act, therefore banning trans people and gender non-conforming people from same-sex spaces.

"It's a very worrying and concerning time."

Kate, who is transgender, shared some of her own experiences with us: "I myself have struggled massively with discrimination.

"Two summers ago, almost every day I'd walk through Ipswich town centre and have something shouted at me, or I'd be spat at."

She says, really, what she wants is more tolerance: "Unfortunately in every area, in every community, people are being discriminated against.

"I think we really need to work on being able to talk to one another because it all stems from misinformation and misunderstanding."

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