London Trans+ Pride is breaking records

The sun has been a rare sight in London this summer but this weekend it was out in full force as tens of thousands gathered in the city’s centre. In the shadow of the iconic BBC television centre friends, lovers, families and more packed out the streets. Above their heads pink, blue and white flags of trans pride fluttered in the wind. There perhaps could not have been a better time for the fifth iteration of London’s Trans+ Pride.

We are just weeks into a new Labour government that promised ‘change’. Light on detail, the promise has taken a number of forms. From leaving the sleaze of successive Conservative Prime Ministers behind to ‘fiscal responsibility’ to an end to culture wars, each form has been vague and amorphous but all point to the same clean break from 14 years of Tory rule.

In that context it is, understandably, perplexing that just days into the new government Health Secretary Wes Streeting would choose not only to continue the Conservative’s temporary ban on puberty blockers for trans young people, but to make it permanent. Writing on Twitter then Labour MP Zarah Sultana stated “Labour’s manifesto promised to “remove indignities for trans people who deserve recognition & acceptance”. That entails ending the Tories ban on puberty blockers.”

On the ban, Mermaids, a charity that supports young trans people, told Huck, “There are many ways to exist as trans outside of the medical route, therefore, Mermaids does not advocate for any one pathway. Evidence shows puberty blockers give young people time to figure out who they are and have positive long-term impacts on wellbeing and life satisfaction for those young people who decide to use them. Furthermore, outside of gender dysphoria, puberty blockers are also used as a treatment for precocious puberty, yet only the use of puberty blockers for trans youth is deemed unsafe.”

In a thread on Twitter Health Secretary Wes Streeting defended his decision to implement an indefinite blanket ban on puberty blockers for trans children and young people. He stated, “children’s healthcare must always be led by evidence. Medicine given to children must always be proven safe and effective first”. He added that the Cass review - an independent review into gender identity services for young people and children - found “there is not enough evidence about the long-term impact of puberty blockers for gender incongruence to know whether they are safe or not, nor which children might benefit from them”.

The Cass review does not recommend a blanket ban. This morning the high court ruled the ban, brought in using emergency legislation by the previous Health Secretary Victoria Atkins, has been ruled to be lawful.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer took to the dispatch box for his first Prime Minister's Questions last week. The second question asked was by Nadia Whittome, Labour MP for Nottingham East. Taking to her feet she stated, “many young trans people and their families are extremely concerned about the restrictions on puberty blockers implemented by the last government” before asking whether Starmer would meet with young trans people, their families and organisations supporting them to hear their concerns.

Speaking to Huck Whittome said, "It's so important that the movement for trans rights keeps up the pressure on our new government to improve trans people's lives. Trans people's lived experiences should be at the centre of this policy making. That's why I asked the Prime Minister, in the first PMQs of the new government, to meet with young trans people about the puberty blockers ban. There should be nothing about them without them.

"Trans Pride is hope in action. With every year London Trans Pride gets bigger and more cities start to host their own - like Nottingham this year,” she added.

The banning of puberty blockers comes as the discourse around the rights of trans people continues to be incredibly toxic and transphobic hate crimes reach historic highs. Latest figures show that in the year up to March 2023 there were 4,732 hate crimes against trans people, which equated to a rise of 11% on the previous year. A report by the Home Office stated that “transgender issues have been heavily discussed by politicians, the media and on social media over the last year, which may have led to an increase in these offences.”

It’s why many of those individuals and organisations involved in organising or supporting London Trans+ Pride 2024 say the event is so important.

Not a Phase is one of those organisations. The trans-led, grassroots charity was formed in 2020 and is “committed to uplifting and improving the lives of trans+ adults, through awareness campaigning, social projects and funding trans+ lead initiatives. Founder of the charity Dani St James told Huck, “We are immensely proud of our ongoing collaboration with the incredible team at London Trans+ Pride. Each year, they bring us together to continue the vital fight for trans liberation and to support one another. The sea of people united for LT+P sends a powerful message to the nation and the world: we remain strong in the face of adversity. To those who feel lost or isolated, know that we are here for you with open arms. This year is the most critical year for LT+P yet; in the current climate and the aftermath of our election, we need unity more than ever.”

This year's event had been due to begin in Trafalgar Square, right next to Whitehall and the heart of government. The calling of a far-right demonstration in the square by ex-leader of the English Defence League Tommy Robinson led to safety concerns and, eventually, a changing of the route of London Trans+ Pride and the deployment of hundreds of stewards along the route. A separate counter demonstration to the far right was organised by Stand Up to Racism, Peace & Justice Project and more.

Samuel Sweek, spokesperson for Peace & Justice Project told Huck, “The rise of the far-right and fascist politics in Britain and across Europe is a cause of great concern for us all. The political establishment has allowed breathing space for hate and division in our communities, we must stand with those targeted by the likes of Tommy Robinson and his thugs.

“We refuse to cede any ground to bigotry, racism, Islamophobia, homophobia, transphobia or any other form of hate they attempt to bring to our streets. Our struggles are all linked and when the politicians fail, it is the people who must fight back. That’s why across multiple demonstrations this weekend it was amazing to see such a strong rejection of this hate in all the many forms it takes”.

There were nine arrests relating to the Tommy Robinson demonstrations including assaults on those at the Stand up to Racism demonstration and a steward of Trans Pride. By contrast, Trans Pride was a peaceful march through central London which organisers stated was “open to trans+ people, the LGBTQIA+ community and allies, joining in a union of celebration for trans+ lives, past and present, standing for trans+ rights and marching in solidarity with Palestine, Sudan, Haiti and Congo”.

Speaking to Huck, London Trans+ Pride co-founder Lewis G. Burton said, “London Trans+ Pride 2024 was the biggest one to date! This show of solidarity with the trans+ community this weekend was so powerful and poignant - in a time when we need the public’s show of support now more than ever. We have confirmation that 55,000-60,000+ people were in attendance at its highest point, meaning that this made London Trans+ Pride the biggest trans pride march in the world right now. Often at times due to vitriol and bigotry inflated by the UK media that our community faces we often feel like we live in a country where we are not loved and respected. This weekend was a beautiful reminder to not only the glorious trans+ community but to London, the new Labour government and the rest of the world that trans+ people are loved and this love is a huge majority”.

Despite changes to the route the march ended at Wellington Arch next to the city’s Hyde Park as it had previously done. Crowds were addressed by speakers including Heartstopper’s Yasmin Finney, Trans Legal Clinic founder Olivia Campbell-Cavendish, Trans Prisoner Alliance founder and activist Sarah Jane Baker.

Speaking in support of the event poet and musician Kae Tempest told Huck, “London trans pride has given me so much. It’s been an important moment of strength gathering for me, as I continue on my journey towards living truly, as myself. Walking through London all together, we can feel a deep sense of community, acceptance, shared pain and celebration that rouses the spirit and soothes the soul. To be able to encounter and affirm each other this way is beautiful and important. I am grateful to the organisers and to the community. It’s been more than a march for me these last few summers, it’s been a lifeline.”

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