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Equalities and Human Rights Commission Statements
Proud To Be Trans In West Berkshire stands in solidarity with the vast majority of the United Kingdom's charities, support groups and LGBTQIA+ organisations in condemning the statements issued by the EHRC. We are deeply saddened to see these statements and concerned that the EHRC has decided to give equal weight to a small group of vocal activists over the scientific and medical evidence that overwhelmingly disagrees with this viewpoint and the content of the statements.
The EHRC was once regarded as a great supporter of reforms that helped to improve the lives of transgender people and to better protect their lives and although the support for a ban on conversion therapy for lesbian, gay and bisexual people is welcomed we are extremely upset to find that they have decided to include an exemption for transgender people. This allows transgender people to be subjected to an act that the United Nations deems to be torture, is known to not work and to cause extreme distress to those subjected to it which often leads to effects that can destroy the rest of their lives. There is now and never will be a place in a civilised society for this sort of activity and it is one that has been banned in many countries for all people the most recent ones being France and Canada.
The other statement attempts to stop Scotland from introducing reforms to the Gender Recognition Act that make it easier and less traumatic for transgender people to obtain legal recognition of their true identity. It does not confer any additional rights on transgender people neither does it change any of the existing provisions of the Equality Act, it merely serves to simplify and improve an outdated process.
Proud To Be Trans In West Berkshire will continue to provide advice and support for all within West Berkshire and the surrounding area who are transgender or who have family members or friends that are transgender and will do whatever is possible to stand up to and speak out against any acts of transphobia wherever it may come from.
