Political parties have been banned from taking part in a Pride event in Scotland following the UK Supreme Court’s ruling on the legal definition of a woman.
Organisers of Glasgow’s Pride said the decision was made due to “the lack of action and delay of comment from parties” after the landmark judgment last month.
Following a long-running legal battle, judges unanimously decided the definition of a “woman” and “sex” in the Equality Act 2010 refers to “a biological woman and biological sex”.
The ruling has caused concern among the transgender community and their supporters.
The fallout includes transgender women being banned from the female toilets at the Scottish parliament and being disallowed from playing in women’s competitive football.
Pic: PA
In a statement shared on social media, Glasgow’s Pride said organisers had written to all political parties and related groups to inform them any planned involvement had been “suspended”.
As well as a ban on taking part in the parade and hosting any stalls, there will be no speeches from political parties during the event.
Politicians planning on attending are expected to do so as an individual, elected representative of their local community.
The statement read: “Within Glasgow and Scotland the support by politicians for the common good has been immense, however the lack of action and delay of comment from parties following the UK Supreme Court decision, which strongly impacts a vulnerable section of our community, is just not right.
“This has resulted in mass confusion about whether someone can use specific essential services [and] members of our community being blocked from participating in social activities such as football, which has impacted their privacy, dignity, and safety.
“This has even resulted in cis women being challenged for going into a female toilet because they have a short haircut.”
Pic: PA
The organising committee was said to be “deeply disappointed” in making the decision but has done so to spur “those with the power to do so to make the required changes”.
Glasgow’s Pride said it is seeking “meaningful commitments and plans towards”:
• Full and enforceable protections under the Equality Act 2010 for all, extending beyond anti-discrimination measures
• Timely and dignified access to gender-affirming NHS healthcare
• A reformed, accessible gender recognition process aligned with the Scottish government’s doomed Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill, which was blocked by the UK government.
Glasgow’s Pride is due to take place on 19 July.
MSP Patrick Harvie, co-leader of the Scottish Greens. Pic: PA
MSP Patrick Harvie said he was “disappointed” with the decision but accepts why organisers have taken action.
The Scottish Greens co-leader, who is bisexual, said: “I am of course disappointed at this decision, but the betrayal of our human rights by most political parties is the cause of this horrendous situation, and I fully respect the right of Pride organisers to make this decision.
“Greens have stood solid against the current wave of prejudice, and will continue to do so.
“But it is now abundantly clear that the community has lost trust in political parties more broadly, and I urge those in leadership positions across the spectrum, and members of all parties who do support LGBTQ+ people’s human rights, to put their house in order.
“Even at the lowest point of the political weaponisation of homophobia in the 80s and 90s, Pride events never felt the need to take this step.
“But even in those worst of times, the government wasn’t actually imposing segregation of public spaces as is happening now to trans people. The culture war against us needs to end.”
