Stroudies flock to Cheltenham to stand up for trans rights
Stroud locals headed to Cheltenham on Saturday 26 April with flags and placards in hand for a cross-county demo against new anti-trans guidance following a controversial Supreme Court ruling.
On 15 April 2025, the UK Supreme Court ruled that 'women' and 'sex' in the 2010 Equality Act refer only to cisgender 'biological women'. The ruling effectively removes transgender women's sex-based protections as women, and opens the door to blanket bans on transgender people in single-sex spaces.
The ruling has unleashed jubilant celebrations by the British press and anti-trans campaigners, and outpourings of anxiety and grief among transgender communities.
“I worry about walking down the street”: Local trans women speak of confusion and fear
Isla, a 27 year old digital sculptor and artist from Stroud said the ruling has drastic implications for her rights and freedoms as a transgender woman. “I thought the ruling was devastating for the trans community and myself, I’ve been very scared and had many cries with friends and family over it.”
“For me, I believe this has taken away our only set of rights and legal protection, which was in the form of a Gender Recognition Certificate (GRC). This is available to a very small proportion of [trans people] due to its long and difficult set of requirements of which you need.”
She tells me this includes: “A deed poll showing you’ve legally changed your name and gender marker, two reports from only a UK Registered medical doctor and a clinical psychologist, one including your gender dysphoria diagnosis, two years of letters that include your gender marker, and a Statutory Declaration which is to be declared in a magistrates court.”
“After obtaining my GRC, I was able to update my birth certificate to say I’m female. Before this ruling, I would be sure that I had protection under the Equality Act 2010, even before obtaining my GRC, my gender was clearly female. This ruling effectively renders my GRC useless, and I feel betrayed after having to jump through all their hoops.”
“My main concern is the snowball effect this court ruling is having, what other oppressions will be put on us. I worry this gives transphobes the idea that they’re free to abuse us without any repercussions. I worry even more about walking down the street, being called slurs, or even being physically assaulted. I’ve never had any issues accessing the women’s toilet before and now I even worry about that.”
“I felt I had to go to this protest to be able to stand alongside others affected like me and to be reminded that we all are here for each other. So far I’ve had lots of support from my friends, family and workplace about this new ruling and guidance. I’ve seen that many organisations will not change how they treat us.”
“Over this past week, I've had so many people reach out and say they are standing in solidarity with me and even going out of their way to take action on the matter. Showing up to these protests, signing petitions and writing to the government, I just hope this wider resistance to the anti-trans ruling sustains and can get through to the right people in power.”
“Empathy first”
Allies speak up for trans rights
Hattie is a primary school teacher from Stroud and now based in Cheltenham. She tells me that as a queer woman and an educator, she wants to stand up for inclusion.
“It is a scary thought that trans children are often not accepted for their authentic self in their homes. It’s often the case that these children are not accepted at home but perhaps are at school, or it could even be vice versa. In the worst case scenario, they’re not empowered in either places.”
“It is my job as a primary teacher to ensure my classroom is a guaranteed space of self-expression and acceptance. I stood in solidarity with trans folk at the Cheltenham protest to pledge my efforts to promote inclusivity in my classrooms and to positively impact the school communities in which I work. Trans people need support, love, and reassurance that key workers on the front line will put empathy first always.”
Looking for support?
If you're a transgender or nonbinary person in Gloucestershire, or you're concerned about the wellbeing and safety of someone who is, please know you are not alone.
Trans in Glos are a county-wide support group for transgender, non-binary and gender questioning people and their loved ones. You can join their social media community to find out about in-person meetups and campaigns. Trans in Glos are currently collecting the views and experiences of trans people to present to policymakers in the fight against trans exclusion. You can complete their online survey here.
Trans Stars are a Stroud-based peer support group that holds regular meet-ups. If you're a trans person in Gloucestershire struggling to access your ongoing HRT prescription from your GP, you can join the peer support group for affected trans patients by emailing [email protected]
antenna
Alex Parnham-Cope is a young multimedia journalist and media producer from Stroud, he is a founder member and Assistant Editor at Amplify Stroud.
Amplify Stroud is supported by Dialect rural writers collective. Dialect offers mentorship, encouragement and self-study courses as well as publishing.
You can find out more at https://www.dialect.org.uk/
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