IT often seems odd that in Scotland — supposedly one of the best places in Europe to be LGBT — that discrimination and hate crime are so often topics of conversation. But, in reality, they are still part of day-to-day life for many. And as Stonewall’s research shows, trans (including non-binary) people in Scotland face almost unparalleled abuse. Nearly half of trans people have experienced a hate crime in the last year.
One in eight has been physically assaulted by a colleague or customer. It’s a picture that’s totally out of step with my experience of modern Scotland, a level of violence that seems almost Dickensian. Imagine not being able to go to the supermarket without seeing tabloids vilify you simply for who you are. But for trans people in Scotland, this is reality.
The good news is that as a country, we have an opportunity to start to make things right. The Scottish Government is consulting on reforms to the Gender Recognition Act, the law allowing people to legally change their gender. It’s an area where reform is desperately needed.
Currently, the law treats being trans as a mental illness, and requires a complicated, intrusive and bureaucratic process before agreeing to recognise people as the gender they live in.
Reforming it is a crucial next step in achieving equality for all trans people and will help reduce the discrimination and abuse that is all too prevalent in our society.
Of course, there are those who think the sky will fall. Some of the arguments against trans equality are eerily familiar to those of us who campaigned for same-sex marriage — the idea that helping people access their rights involves taking them from others, that equality is somehow a zero sum game with losers and winners. But the only people who will be affected by better laws for trans people are — you’ve guessed it — trans people.
We all have a part to play in changing attitudes towards trans people, and making Scotland somewhere where everyone can be themselves. That’s why I’m coming out for trans equality, and using my platforms to call for the rights of trans people. Whether it’s challenging abuse on social media, responding to the consultation or supporting our trans friends and colleagues, we can all help challenge the hate, and the narrative that trans people are less worthy of respect.
That’s what trans people asking for. The right to be recognised. The right not to be beaten up at work. The right to respect. If you believe in equality, we need you to join us and fight for it.
You can come out for trans equality at www.stonewallscotland.org.uk/trans, or respond to the Scottish Government’s consultation at www.consult.scotland.gov.uk
Sophie Bridger is campaigns policy and research manager at Stonewall Scotland
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