An LGBTQ+ Lib Dems group believes that Labour is “no better than US Republicans” on trans rights.
The UK Supreme Court ruled last Wednesday (16 April) that the definitions of a woman and sex in the 2010 Equality Act referred to “biological sex”. The court issued an 88-page judgement which ruled that the legal definition of a woman excludes transgender women.
In the wake of the ruling, government bodies and personnel have addressed the Supreme Court ruling. The British Transport Police announced that trans women held in custody will now be strip-searched by male officers, not female officers, and the Equality and Human Rights Commission has warned that the NHS will be “pursued” if policies on single-sex spaces are not changed to reflect the court’s decision.
Equalities Minister Bridget Phillipson also responded to the ruling by declaring that trans people should use the toilets matching their “biological sex”, while Prime Minister and Labour Leader Keir Starmer told BBC News that he no longer believes that trans women are women.
When he came to office, Keir Starmer promised his government would “tread more lightly” on folks’ lives.
Bridget Phillipson’s announcement that trans folks should use the wrong toilets is monstrous.
It shows Labour to be no better than the US Republicans. They should be ashamed
— LGBT+ Lib Dems
(@LGBTLD) April 22, 2025
LGBT+ Lib Dems took to X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday (22 April) to respond to Labour’s trans rights views. “When he came to office, Keir Starmer promised his government would ‘tread more lightly’ on folks’ lives,” the tweet began.
The group, billed as a Lib Dems party body for gender and sexual minorities, continued: “Bridget Phillipson’s announcement that trans folks should use the wrong toilets is monstrous.
“It shows Labour to be no better than the US Republicans. They should be ashamed.”
Starmer largely began a U-turn on his views on trans rights ahead of the 2024 election, when he backed Canterbury MP Rosie Duffield, who stated that “only women have a cervix”.
When asked on Good Morning Britain about her comments, Starmer responded: Biologically, she of course is right about that.” This was a shift from comments he made in 2021, where he said her statement was “not right”.
If this story has affected you, call Mindline Trans+ on Fridays 8 pm-11 pm on 0300 330 5468. For emotional support, Mindline is available 24/7 on 01823 276 892.
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