Life after August 5th

Earlier this week, the EHRC guidance about single sex spaces came into effect across England, Wales and Scotland. I’ve spoken many times before about how it is completely unworkable and benefits no-one. But it’s here all the same.

Everyone and their grandmother also seems obligated to express negative opinions about trans people in single sex spaces right now. It's everywhere from vox pops to op-ed pieces, like someone's right to exist like anyone else is something that can be debated.

I remember how ugly it felt to have everyone chiming in on whether a gay person should be allowed to get married back in 2014. How I had to step back from the news cycle and social media completely at the time. This is worse even than that, and it’s really going to hurt people.

I have no doubt that things will get better. It has in the past and it will again, but for right now, this is where the pendulum sits.

So what can we do?

1. Look after your mental health.

   It might be an obvious one, but make time away from the front line for yourself. Hobbies, resting; whatever you need to do to switch off and rest. Choose safety over conflict. Surround yourself with friends and loved ones. The LGBTQ+ community is a community Let other people pick up the fight for you on your behalf if you need to.

2. Look out for friends, family and colleagues.

   Check in with friends and loved ones who are being impacted by this. Stand up for colleagues. Be prepared to challenge friends or relatives who parrot transphobic lines without really thinking about it. Shut down any ‘policing’ in bathrooms if you see it.
   

3. Support organisations standing against the EHRC guidance:  Like these wonderful organisations here:

   LGBT Health and Wellbeing: https://lgbthealth.org.uk/service/helpline/

   Scottish Trans: https://www.scottishtrans.org

   Mermaids: https://mermaidsuk.org.uk

    And with thanks to the brilliant Good Law Project, many more:

   https://goodlawproject.org/resource/support-resources-for-trans/

   
   

4. Support local businesses who come up with creative ways of challenging the guidance.

   We’ve already seen some brilliant pubs, clubs, even tattooists, relabelling their toilets around facilities rather than gender. If a local business has done this, let them know you appreciate it!

   
   

5. DONT support organisations and individuals who back transphobia.

   We know who I’m talking about here. Yes, the one on the boat. Don’t buy the books, don’t listen to the audios, don’t bother with the new tv show, and don’t buy the toys. Don’t give them a single penny. They have expressly said they’ll use the money they get from all this to fund transphobic lawsuits. There are so many other options out there and we can vote with our wallets.

So this is a difficult week for the community and there will be challenging days ahead, but things will turn around for the better. For now, look after yourself, support the community and reach out for help if you need to.

If you’re having a problem with your mental health and you would like to discuss it with a BACP-accredited professional, you can get in touch with me via the submission form on the website or drop me a message directly at mckellarCBT@gmail.com