Southwark Council votes to stand with the trans community after Lib Dem campaign
The motion, put forward by the Liberal Democrat group, called on the council to make a statement in support of the trans community in the face of increasing transphobia and anti-LGBTQ+ hate crimes.
The motion also committed the council to creating an LGBTQ+ action plan to address issues and inequalities experienced by the large LGBTQ+ community in Southwark – the 4th biggest in the UK.
Cllr Victor Chamberlain, who proposed the motion, called on Southwark to implement a nation-first LGBTQ+ strategy back in April this year.
The motion commits the council to “Stand united with trans, non-binary and gender diverse people, assert that trans rights are human rights, and reject attempts to create division in our society for political gain”.
Hate crimes against the LGBTQ+ have increased in recent years, including a 186% increase in hate crimes against trans people in the past five years.
The original motion had called on the council to support non-medical self-identification for trans people. However, Labour amended the motion to remove this.
In July this year, Labour leadership u-turned on their support for self-id, Cllr Chamberlain wrote to the leader of the council asking him express his support for self-id and the trans community, but received no response.
Commenting, Southwark Liberal Democrat Cllr Victor Chamberlain said:
“Passing this Liberal Democrat led motion is a bold, progressive statement against hate and transphobia. Southwark Council is showing solidarity with our vibrant LGBTQ+ communities.
I’m also delighted we agreed to an action plan to address inequalities experienced by LGBTQ+ people – something I’ve been calling for since April.
I am proud to sit on a council that has stated, unequivocally, that trans rights are human rights. Hopefully this will send a strong message to those trying to spread division at the expense of a marginalised community, and inspire other councils to stand up and do the same.”