News

25 April 2025

I have written to my local Member of Parliament Sam Carling MP about the travesty of the Supreme Court Ruling.

Sam Carling MP

Sam.carling.mp@parliament.uk

25 April 2025

Dear Sam Carling MP

I am writing to you after the Supreme Court ruling on 16 April 2025 in relation to the interpretation of ‘sex’ Equality Act 2010 and its consequences for the transgender community.

This is very painful to witness in this country as I experienced this growing up in a time when the state chose to not recognise my right to just be who I am.  I was educated entirely during the scourge of Section 28 and suffered greatly because of the impacts of having such laws against my right to exist as a gay man. 

As someone who has during my professional lifetime sought to make Peterborough a more inclusive space for those who are LGBTQIA+,   I am deeply concerned about the erosion of safety and support for transgender people.

I was part of the Home Office’s Spectrum LGBT+ network and for many years I worked alongside diversity partners both nationally and locally to make a difference.

I created Peterborough’s largest LGBT+ social network in 2015 which until recently was known as Inclusive Peterborough (now Queer Socials Group QSG) and have worked tirelessly to provide safe spaces for the community.

 In 2021 I joined the Peterborough Pride committee and am currently volunteer lead, preparing for our cities pride on July 19th.

In 2024 I created the Rainbow Peterborough Support Network with aims to help the wellbeing and mental health of those who are LGBT+ in Peterborough and the area.

I have put considerable effort over the years into helping set foundations in making this city a more welcoming space for those who are LGBT+ and have seen firsthand the benefits of the work that I and others have put in.

I have seen the cities only Transgender group start to lift the banner and begin the work needed to support the Trans community in Peterborough.

I have formed many friendships and seen the difficulties faced by those who are transgender in Peterborough.

The ruling of the Supreme Court is an affront to all the work that has been put into create safe spaces for Transgender people who are generally not as safe in society as the safety afforded to those who are cisgender comparatively.

It gives justification to those who vilify and seek to spread hatred against Transgender individuals.  Its worst impacts will be felt by Trans women as a variety of studies has shown Trans women are more likely to be a victim of sexual assault.

The Crown Prosecution Service stated that 73% of transgender people have experienced harassment and violence because they were identified as transgender.  This includes verbal abuse, threatening behaviour, physical and sexual assault.

In a Gallop 2023 poll 64% of the transgender respondents stated that their experience of sexual violence was linked to their identity.

The ruling will mean Trans women are unable to use a single sex changing room, as in this country facilities are mostly gender specific.  The impact on transgender people not being able to use the toilet that reflects the gender they identify as will be profound.  The impact of not feeling safe for such a simple act like using a toilet will mean trans people will feel less able to safely leave their home, for work, travel, socialising.  This could effectively see them sidelined out of our society.

The ruling will mean Trans men will now be encouraged to use women’s toilets causing not only discomfort for them but uncertainty for women as a woman will not be aware of a Trans man’s history.

The ruling will also mean some cisgendered women are perceived differently as they may exhibit different traits, which mean their gender may be wrongly perceived by some, leading to them being made to feel uncomfortable or even leading to some people feeling empowered to challenge their use of a single sex space for women.

We immediately need to seek reform of the Gender Recognition Act 2004 to ensure that Transgender people remain protected in this country.

The GRA 2004 has been left without urgent reform too long.  We need to also look at the Equality Act 2010.

Transgender people need to be safeguarded, and we need to ensure they are free to use without fear a safe space to use the toilet or to get changed.

We need to ensure they are protected against hate and prejudice.

This country was once considered a leader in LGBT+ rights and sadly this is now no longer the case as other countries seek to put better protections in place.

Malta for example was the first country to ban conversion therapy for all and enshrined protections for transgender people in its constitution. Malta has ranked 1st on the ILGA Europe index for eight years.

TGEU’s 2024 report shows that Trans people have been the victims of scapegoating by the then UK government.  This did not help matters as it fed the fear of those who were in the middle ground and not educated on the issue.

We need bold and brave action to stand up for Transgender rights. 

As you are a relatively new MP, I understand that you may have not yet had chance to meet with the organisations around Peterborough that support LGBT+ people.

I have not seen any statement from you on your social media feeds about this ruling.  As my elected MP, I implore you stand up for Trans people.  Do not be a bystander who stands by and let us go backward in the fight for rights for all to be able to live their authentic lives in safety and security.  Stand against the persecution faced by the minority who right now are in a very vulnerable place.

I ask that you consider joining forces with any cross party MP’s who seek to encourage reforms to ensure Transgender people can live full lives and safely use the spaces that their gender identity is in congruence with – i.e. a Trans man should be able to use toilets that are designated for men and Trans women should be able to use toilets that are designated for women.

I do not believe the Equality and Human Rights commission advice will resolve these issues without legal reform.  I am scared for trans people I know and love in the community who I admire each day for living their authentic lives.

I would like to see you meet and connect with different LGBT+ support organisations in Peterborough such as Peterborough Pride, Trans Support Network Peterborough, Rainbow Peterborough Support Network and the social group I started over 10 years ago Queer Socials Peterborough.

As I have written to you personally I would most welcome your personal response to this email rather than a copy and pasted government response.

I would appreciate any meeting to discuss the topic of LGBT+ safety and what you can do to help Peterborough LGBT+ people feel safe.

Many thanks for your consideration on this important issue.

Warmest Regards,

James Whitmore

12 April

We met at the Willow Cafe as we often do but were joined by Leonnie from CPFT Mind who discussed what was on offer from our local branch.

Things that were mentioned - 

Good mood cafe's around yaxley, whittesey and newborough https://www.cpslmind.org.uk/how-we-help/good-life-service/good-mood-cafes/

Calm spaces - https://www.cpslmind.org.uk/how-we-help/good-life-service/calm-spaces/

Peer Support groups - https://www.cpslmind.org.uk/how-we-help/good-life-service/peer-support-groups/

Hearing voices group - https://www.hearingvoicescambridgeshire.org.uk/about-us/

We aim to meet up with MIND again and next time we hope to be able to host a workshop or mindfulness session.