by VIC PARSONS

Thousands are protesting Tory equalities minister Liz Truss’ comments this week about restricting access to healthcare for transgender youth.

More than 35,000 people have signed a Change.org petition called “Liz Truss statement threatens the future of young transgender individuals. This needs to be stopped”.

“We need to step up now,” says the petition, which was posted yesterday.

“The only way we can do this is by bringing the whole community together to stand against this so I ask you if you are from any country, any background, any religions and if you are or are not a part of the LGBT+ community, we ask you to please help us to stand and fight against this.”

Liz Truss made her statement when she set out her plan for reforming the Gender Recognition Act (GRA) on Wednesday, April 22, at a virtual session of the women and equalities select committee.

Truss’ statement sparked immediate alarm among parents of transgender youth and concern from LGBT+ organisations, and has been interpreted as a direct threat to the currently available healthcare for trans youth in the UK.