Trans people have 'crisis in trust' of Labour Party, poll finds
91% of those who are transgender surveyed for The Good Law Project said they 'distrusted' the party with trans rights
What's been described of a 'crisis in trust' of the Labour Party has been declared, as a poll for the non-profit activist organisation The Good Law Project reveals a lack of trust among trans people.
The survey, conducted by YouGov, uncovered 91% of those who identify as trans surveyed said they trusted the governing Labour Party with trans rights either 'not very much', or 'not at all' - with the Tories scoring at 96%.
This all follows a tough year for trans and LGBT rights in the UK and internationally, notably April's Supreme Court ruling on the definition of a woman, local authorities banning the LGBT flag from their buildings, and the FA bringing in new rules on trans women in the female game.
The Good Law Project also cite the survey, which asked for the views of 457 trans, non-binary and intersex adults, follows Labour's permanent ban on puberty blockers and a manifesto pledge being abandoned to make the process of gender recognition easier.
And trans people continue to wait on guidance to be published, following a public consultation based on the Supreme Court ruling on a woman being defined in the Equality Act as the biological sex they were at birth.
When it officially comes out, this document by the Equality and Human Rights Commission will outline trans people’s use of toilets at work and in services.
'Abandoned promises'
The survey was conducted amid 'significant concern' being expressed over how peoples' lives have been impacted following the Supreme Court ruling - and the subsequent decisions made afterwards.
Jess O'Thomson, trans rights lead at The Good Law Project, told Hits Radio Pride how those who are transgender in the UK currently feel 'terrified'.
They said: "It's clear trans people are expressing quite significant concern about where we've ended up as a country.
"In their manifesto, Labour committed to protecting the rights and dignity of trans people, but what we've seen is this promise be abandoned, following the rise of far right narratives which have risen since they came into power.
"Nearly half of trans people don't know which toilets to access on a daily basis, and many of them distrust important institutions in this country on trans rights.
"This is really shocking, because Labour has always prided itself in being an LGBT inclusive party - but what its actions in Government say is that it actually isn't.
"What's clear is that Labour are willing to say words in support of the queer community, but increasingly unwilling to take action - see also the legislation on banning conversion therapy, an issue which keeps getting kicked down the road."
Looking to the future, Jess is hopeful this survey acts as a warning message, and helps to secure real action.
They added: "All of the choices on this matter are entirely in the gift of the Labour Party. It's up for them to decide to make the UK a trans-inclusive country, rather than pulling us into a place which could make us one of of the least inclusive nations in Europe.
"We have long-thought of ourselves as being a global leader on human rights, but data like this really brings it all into question.
"Trans people do still have human rights in this country, and now it's our job to keep providing that pressure to make sure this remains the case."
'Labour is on the side of LGBT+ people'
A Labour spokesperson told Hits Radio Pride: "The Labour Government is on the side of LGBT+ people and we're committed to advancing their rights and protections.
"This includes our plan to ban conversion practices."
There is help and support available - there are plenty of resources for those who are transgender, or those who know someone that is, on the LGBT Foundation website.