PERHAPS Joanna Cherry would like, in a future column, to spell out exactly what advice on trans equality she thinks Stonewall are giving that is unlawful. Stonewall’s advice seems to be entirely in line with the Equality Act and with the Equality and Human Rights Commission’s statutory code of practice on it.

Of course Stonewall’s work is controversial; it always has been, since they began in 1989. Standing up to entrenched discrimination, fighting for rights for people who have never had them before, and changing the world, is always controversial.

But Stonewall are under concerted attack at the moment, by those who oppose trans equality, by those who oppose equality for lesbian, gay and bisexual people, and directly by ministers in a UK Government which is finding so many ways to undermine people’s equality and rights. How disappointing and depressing to see Joanna Cherry joining and amplifying that attack.

READ MORE: Joanna Cherry: We must work to ensure equalities policies conform to the law

I am a few years older than Joanna, and I have been campaigning, with others, for LGBT equality in Scotland since the 1980s. There has been huge change – the rights that LGB people have now were almost unthinkable in 1985. Joanna and I, and countless others, benefit today from generations of activists who battled for equality. And it has been a battle strongly contested at every stage.

But it is not over. Trans people are treated today much as gay people were 25 years ago, including being demonised almost daily in parts of the media. LGB people still face discrimination and hate crime, as do many others. And some want to turn the clock back on the advances of recent years.

The Equality Network was founded 24 years ago, and has campaigned for LGBT equality in Scotland since. We are proud of the changes we have helped bring about, and proud to be redoubling our work now, including for full equality for trans people. And we are proud to be working alongside Stonewall to do that.

Tim Hopkins
Director, Equality Network