Hundreds of trans rights activists take to streets of Glasgow in protest over UK government’s decision to block Nicola Sturgeon’s gender reform bill

• Protesters gathered to demonstrate against the UK government intervention
• Campaigners held up signs reading ‘trans rights now’ and ‘God hates Tories’

Hundreds of people gathered on the streets of Glasgow today to protest the decision by the UK government to block the Scottish Parliament’s transgender reform legislation.

Campaigners took part in the Rally for Trans Equality on the steps of the Buchanan Galleries shopping centre in the middle of the city.

Demonstrators waved LGBT+ flags and held up signs reading ‘trans rights now’ and ‘God hates Tories’.

The Gender Reform Bill, passed by the Scottish Parliament in December, would have made it easier for people to obtain a Gender Recognition Certificate before the UK government blocked the law change.

Trans rights demonstrators attend a rally on Buchanan Street on January 21, 2023 in Glasgow, Scotland

Two trans rights demonstrators attend a rally on Buchanan Street on January 21, 2023 in Glasgow, Scotland

A trans rights demonstrator attends a rally on Buchanan Street on January 21, 2023 in Glasgow, Scotland

Scottish MPs and MSPs were among the protesters demonstrating against the UK government intervention.

Swarms of protesters filled the centre of the city around Buchanan Street from 11am and finished just after 1pm.

Demonstrators chanted: ‘When trans rights are under attack, what do we do? Stand up, fight back.’ 

Under the legislation change, those aged 16 and 17 could have applied for a Gender Recognition Certificate to be acquired six-months after they had transitioned.

But on Monday, Secretary of State for Scotland Alistair Jack blocked the reforms made by the Scottish Parliament under Section 35 of the Scotland Act, under grounds that it directly clashed with UK-wide legislation.

Scottish Secretary Alister Jack laid out his reasoning on the House of Commons earlier this week, saying that Westminster could not accept the ‘adverse’ impact on UK-wide equalities law.

During his announcement, Scottish MPs gathered on the opposition benches to shout ‘shame’ at the minister.

Swarms of protesters filled the centre of Glasgow around Buchanan Street from 11am and finished just after 1pm, January 21, 2023

Scottish MPs and MSPs were among the protesters demonstrating against the UK government intervention

Demonstrators waved LGBT+ flags and held up signs reading ‘trans rights now’ and ‘God hates Tories’

Demonstrators chanted: ‘When trans rights are under attack, what do we do? Stand up, fight back’

Mr Jack announced: ‘The Government has looked closely at the potential impact of the Bill and I’ve considered all relevant policy and operational implications together with the minister for women and equalities.

‘And it is our assessment that the Bill would have a serious adverse impact among other things on the operation of the Equality Act 2010.

‘Those adverse effects include impacts on the operation of single-sex clubs, associations and schools and protections such as equal pay.’

Supporters of the UK government’s intervention on the transgender legislation reform said First Minister Nicola Sturgeon was ‘weaponising vulnerable children’ to aid her ongoing campaign for Scottish independence.

But Ms Sturgeon said she will seed a judicial review of the government block, and labelled it a ‘full-frontal attack’ on Holyrood.

Trans rights demonstrators attend a rally on Buchanan Street on January 21, 2023 in Glasgow, Scotland

Demonstrators filled Buchanan Street in Glasgow on January 21, 2023

At Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday, Rishi Sunak said: ‘This Bill would have a significant adverse effect on UK-wide equalities matters, and so the Scottish Secretary, with regret, has rightly acted.’

SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn asked Mr Sunak: ‘Are we not now on a slippery slope from devolution to direct rule?’

The prime minister replied: ‘Of course we are not. This is simply about protecting UK-wide legislation; about ensuring the safety of women and children, this is not about the devolution settlement.

‘I would urge the honourable gentleman and his party to consider engaging with the UK Government on this Bill, as we did before the legislation passed, so we can find a constructive way forward for the people of Scotland and the United Kingdom.’

‘Just another day on TERF island’, a sign reads as demonstrators gather in Glasgow, January 21, 2023

Campaigners took part in the Rally for Trans Equality on the steps of the Buchanan Galleries shopping centre in the middle of the city, January 21, 2023

‘Trans power’, reads a sign as demonstrators gather in Glasgow, January 21, 2023

The co-director of For Women Scotland Susan Smith told Glasgow Live that she welcomed the UK government’s intervention.

Ms Smith said: ‘We have long maintained that the GRR Bill interferes with the operation of the Equality Act across the UK. Throughout evidence sessions, the Scottish Government ignored and dismissed evidenced concerns about the potential impact of opening up this process – not, as they claimed, a simplification or a minor admin change, but a wholesale removal of checks and a granting of new rights under law.’

‘They made promises that were not in their gift and, shamefully, failed to protect women, even elevating the rights of sex offenders above those of their victims. They were especially cavalier about contested areas regarding the interaction with the Equality Act and the level of protections granted to GRC holders under section 22.

‘Ms Sturgeon famously said our concerns were ‘not valid. Supporters of the Bill have been indignant about the possibility that the rest of the UK might refuse to accept Scottish GRCs, even though this, effectively, meant that the devolved parliament at Holyrood would be rewriting equality law across the UK without the consent of their elected representatives.’

Trans rights demonstrators attend a rally on Buchanan Street on January 21, 2023 in Glasgow, Scotland

Demonstrators hold placards as they take part in a protest march for trans rights and to show their support for the Scottish gender reform bill, in central London, on January 21, 2022

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