Transphobic commentary in the British media has reached fever pitch, as the public consultation process over the U.K.’s Gender Recognition Act nears its Oct. 19 end date.
Lords, MPs, and leading LGBT+ campaigners have signed an open letter condemning anti-trans media coverage in the UK, saying hostility has led to a “significant decline in the mental health of many trans people.”
New measures put in place to tackle hate crimes include a review of legislation, extra funding to support communities and improving the response to incidents.
“Hate crime goes directly against the long-standing British values of unity, tolerance and mutual respect - and I am committed to stamping this sickening behavior out,” Home Secretary Sajid Javid said in a statement.
YouTube, Tumblr, Instagram, and others have caused offense to LGBT users in recent months. Homophobia is partly to blame. So are technical snafus, and corporate and human failure.
Whilst we must work tirelessly for better protection of the human rights of LGBTI persons, we also need to be mindful and understanding of the fact that sometimes they have no other choice but to flee and seek safety outside their own states.
Before I was old enough to dress myself, I became a victim of sexual harassment. I have many assailants — my father, aunts, uncles, cousins, cis-heterosexual friends, strangers, and past employers. This list becomes longer every day
The effect of this is to make LGBT people feel small, to hide who they are. No wonder the Government’s Survey found that over two thirds of same-sex couples don’t hold hands in public.
