Latest news with #TransRights
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Voices: This weekend, 100,000 people stood up to fight against the demonisation of trans people
One hundred thousand people, let me repeat, 100,000 people joined Saturday's march for London Trans+ Pride. It broke 2024's record of 60,000 and extended the capital's reign as the largest trans rights protest in the world. But pride doesn't even begin to encompass the full breadth of emotion I feel: not only in making it happen, but in the tenacity of our community. This was my second year helping to organise the march – and I do apologise to any of those still hearing the echoes of my voice ringing out 'Claim your space, we have the whole of Whitehall!' through a megaphone. As a proud trans woman, working alongside the collective of 30 or so volunteers who put on this event every year is a privilege. I am by no means its voice, and there are many others more qualified to be the community's voice, such as artist Lewis G Burton, BBC presenter Dr Ronx and Heartstopper actor Yasmin Finney, who all made speeches in Parliament Square. But I am writing this as someone who found comfort and community here and wanted to give back. For me and for so many other people, Saturday's march represents the ultimate safe space. It is a day of protest and of joy, liberation and celebration. There wasn't anything like it when I started my transition some 15 years ago. I was lucky enough to know exactly who I was from a young age – just as my mother had known who she was, and my father had known who he was. My parents have been my most supportive allies, and I was so moved to see signs from other families along the march. I spent several years working as an organiser of large-scale events before joining London Trans+ Pride. And while my career may have been my foundation for this move into advocacy, nothing can prepare you for the energy of those marching. I'm not surprised that so many more people joined compared to 2024. It has come at a time when we need proactive activism and allyship more than ever. Following the explosion against trans+ rights in the last five years, from puberty blocker bans to the Supreme Court's contested ruling in April – that the legal definition of a woman is someone born biologically female – friends, family and total strangers have stepped up and demonstrated their support – and highlighted that most Britons have never, and will never, view trans people as a threat. Our team was supported by almost 600 volunteer stewards. These people come from all over the UK and give up their time to guide the march. We could not safely deliver an event of such magnitude every year without them, and we owe them so much. They, and the additional 35,000 marchers we saw yesterday, have stepped up at a time when visible support is so needed. We tend to see significant mainstream coverage about small protests against immigration, but little about the thousands of people supporting trans rights. We heard the author Caroline Litman speaking about her late daughter, Alice, and initiatives highlighted from ally support groups such as the Trans Solidarity Alliance and Not in Our Name, and the enviable strength and determination of Trans Kids Deserve Better. When I had time to look up from my work as a pink blur of headsets and event management forms, I could soak in the phenomenon engulfing me. I spent all day being moved by the placards, banners, flags, and by the humour. The progressive spins on viral trends were a favourite: 'Nothing beats a Jet2 Holiday; except top surgery.' British irony combined with the joy of medical autonomy: something I see regularly in my new career in gender-affirming healthcare – an area persistently targeted in the tirade against our community. In my role, I get to float between marchers, volunteers and community workers throughout the march and see all the variety of support there. And while my bones may be a little worse for wear after what can only be described as the job of a lifetime – and thank goodness for comfy shoes – I couldn't imagine anything better. But this lovely day is counterbalanced by the continued demonisation of women like me, people like this and communities like ours. Our rights appear to be being used as pawns on the world's political stage to distract from larger issues. London Trans+ Pride was, is and will always remain a testament to joy. It confirms us as human by showing up for each other and everyone else through the intersectionality of systemic oppression. 2025 continues to be a horrific year for human rights. But, thanks to everyone who marched and made history, today, the future for trans people feels a little brighter. Stephanie Lynnette is a healthcare worker, content creator and the current Events and Projects Manager for London Trans+ Pride
The Independent
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Independent
This weekend, 100,000 people stood up to fight against the demonisation of trans people
One hundred thousand people, let me repeat, 100,000 people joined Saturday's march for London Trans+ Pride. It broke 2024's record of 60,000 and extended the capital's reign as the largest trans rights protest in the world. But pride doesn't even begin to encompass the full breadth of emotion I feel: not only in making it happen, but in the tenacity of our community. This was my second year helping to organise the march – and I do apologise to any of those still hearing the echoes of my voice ringing out 'Claim your space, we have the whole of Whitehall!' through a megaphone. As a proud trans woman, working alongside the collective of 30 or so volunteers who put on this event every year is a privilege. I am by no means its voice, and there are many others more qualified to be the community's voice, such as artist Lewis G Burton, BBC presenter Dr Ronx and Heartstopper actor Yasmin Finney, who all made speeches in Parliament Square. But I am writing this as someone who found comfort and community here and wanted to give back. For me and for so many other people, Saturday's march represents the ultimate safe space. It is a day of protest and of joy, liberation and celebration. There wasn't anything like it when I started my transition some 15 years ago. I was lucky enough to know exactly who I was from a young age – just as my mother had known who she was, and my father had known who he was. My parents have been my most supportive allies, and I was so moved to see signs from other families along the march. I spent several years working as an organiser of large-scale events before joining London Trans+ Pride. And while my career may have been my foundation for this move into advocacy, nothing can prepare you for the energy of those marching. I'm not surprised that so many more people joined compared to 2024. It has come at a time when we need proactive activism and allyship more than ever. Following the explosion against trans+ rights in the last five years, from puberty blocker bans to the Supreme Court's contested ruling in April – that the legal definition of a woman is someone born biologically female – friends, family and total strangers have stepped up and demonstrated their support – and highlighted that most Britons have never, and will never, view trans people as a threat. Our team was supported by almost 600 volunteer stewards. These people come from all over the UK and give up their time to guide the march. We could not safely deliver an event of such magnitude every year without them, and we owe them so much. They, and the additional 35,000 marchers we saw yesterday, have stepped up at a time when visible support is so needed. We tend to see significant mainstream coverage about small protests against immigration, but little about the thousands of people supporting trans rights. We heard the author Caroline Litman speaking about her late daughter, Alice, and initiatives highlighted from ally support groups such as the Trans Solidarity Alliance and Not in Our Name, and the enviable strength and determination of Trans Kids Deserve Better. When I had time to look up from my work as a pink blur of headsets and event management forms, I could soak in the phenomenon engulfing me. I spent all day being moved by the placards, banners, flags, and by the humour. The progressive spins on viral trends were a favourite: 'Nothing beats a Jet2 Holiday; except top surgery.' British irony combined with the joy of medical autonomy: something I see regularly in my new career in gender-affirming healthcare – an area persistently targeted in the tirade against our community. In my role, I get to float between marchers, volunteers and community workers throughout the march and see all the variety of support there. And while my bones may be a little worse for wear after what can only be described as the job of a lifetime – and thank goodness for comfy shoes – I couldn't imagine anything better. But this lovely day is counterbalanced by the continued demonisation of women like me, people like this and communities like ours. Our rights appear to be being used as pawns on the world's political stage to distract from larger issues. London Trans+ Pride was, is and will always remain a testament to joy. It confirms us as human by showing up for each other and everyone else through the intersectionality of systemic oppression. 2025 continues to be a horrific year for human rights. But, thanks to everyone who marched and made history, today, the future for trans people feels a little brighter.
Yahoo
18-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Pedro Pascal educates Vanessa Kirby on meaning of ‘c**ty face' during Fantastic Four interview
Pedro Pascal has once again spoken out in moments after defining 'cunty face' to co-star Vanessa Kirby during a new interview prior to the release of Fantastic Four: First Steps. During the junket with Bek Manibog for Pedestrian TV, Manibog described Kirby as becoming a 'social media icon' for her 'force-field-snatched cunty fierceness face.' Kirby, who plays the Invisible Woman in the upcoming Marvel film, looked surprised, saying 'Oh my god! I don't know if that's a good thing.' 'Cunty face just means fierce, fabulous, beautiful, strong' – Pedro Pascal Pascal, who plays Mr. Fantastic, looked at the Crown actress in disbelief, he quickly clarified: 'Cunty face is good, babe. Cunty face just means fierce, fabulous, beautiful, strong. It's good. It's good.' Later in the interview, Manibog turned to Pascal and acknowledged his public support for trans rights, asking if he had a message for the trans community. Pascal responded: 'You inspire me. You are a symbol of courage, and you inspire fear in those that are afraid of being their true selves. And I think that that's the threat, is your joy and your radical bravery in living your life in joy.' 'It's a very, very small, vulnerable, inspiring, courageous and brave community' – Pedro Pascal on the trans community This is not the first time Pedro spoke out in support of the trans community on his press tour for the upcoming movie. 'It's important to protect people, especially those simply asking for the right to exist in bodies that belong to them and in the world that they never asked to be brought into. It's a very, very small, vulnerable, inspiring, courageous and brave community that fills me with a lot of inspiration. Therefore, it's very important to protect that. They would do that for us,' he said on the red carpet at the Fantastic Four: First Steps premiere in Berlin. Pascal, whose sister Lux Pascal came out as trans in 2021, has been a consistent supporter of the LGBTQ+ community. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Entertainment Tonight (@entertainmenttonight) Earlier this year, he was photographed wearing a 'Protect the Dolls' T-shirt, designed by Conner Ives, at the London premiere of Thunderbolts. The design references the need to protect trans people and has raised more than $70,000 for Trans Lifeline. Since then, he has not hesitated to speak out in the face of gender critical remarks. Most recently he called out JK Rowling, stating in an interview with Vanity Fair: 'Bullies make me fucking sick.' Fantastic Four: First Steps will be released in UK cinemas on 24 July. The post Pedro Pascal educates Vanessa Kirby on meaning of 'c**ty face' during Fantastic Four interview appeared first on Attitude.
Irish Times
12-07-2025
- Health
- Irish Times
‘Taking over the city, letting our voices be heard, being visible - that's the real power of today'
Thousands attended the annual Trans and Intersex Pride march through Dublin city centre on Saturday in what was the event's largest ever turnout. A parade of sound and colour made its way from City Hall to Leinster House as spectators watched the demonstrators chant, sing and wave flags and banners as part of their combined protest and celebration. Outgoing Trinity College Students' Union president Jenny Maguire, who is co-organiser of the event, said they were 'trying to show that a united movement is the way forward in pushing for a better Ireland for everyone. 'We want the Government to implement an informed consent, GP-led healthcare model. The current reform that they're trying to do will still hurt trans people. We need it led by the community. We need intersex people to be recognised and de-medicalised. READ MORE 'A review is happening at the moment but it's by the people who currently run the system and that system goes against the World Health Organisation guidelines.' Ms Maguire said the last programme for government contained a trans inclusive model for healthcare and but it was removed from the current programme. 'The Government is afraid of the far right but we are showing that the support is here for trans people,' she said. On the march numerous chants were sung: 'Trans rights, women's rights – same struggle, same fight,' was one call and response. 'Trans healthcare is our right – this is why we have to fight', was another. Marchers at the Trans and Intersex Pride event in Dublin. Photograph: Chris Maddaloni 'Not the church, not the State, we alone decide our fate,' the demonstrators chanted as well as 'one struggle, one fight, Palestine, trans rights'. The trans blue, pink and white flag was hoisted by many while others carried Palestinian, Amnesty International and political party flags and banners including the Socialist Party, Social Democrats, People Before Profit and Labour. One speaker at the event, Sexy Tadhg, who addressed and sang for the crowd said 'taking over the city and taking up space and letting our voices be heard' and being visible 'is the best thing we can achieve today'. 'We're reminding Dublin, and Ireland and the world that trans people are here that trans Ireland people exist, intersex Irish people exist and we are so beautiful and we are so gorgeous and we're letting our voices be heard. That's the real power of today.' An Indian member of the Queer Asian Pride Ireland who addressed the crowd but did not wish to be identified, spoke of 'how every single day for trans people it's so, so difficult to live our daily lives whether in university, at workplaces, in hospital, wherever it is. 'We have been spat at, yelled at. I have been egged. I have been mocked so many times, just walking on the street. I am visibly queer and visibly trans and you see the colour of my skin and I can't tell where the hate is coming from whether it is transphobia, homophobia or whether it is racism.' Ollie Bell, an LGBTQ+ activist, leads the annual Trans and Intersex Pride march towards the Dáil from Dame Street. Photograph: Chris Maddaloni Labour TD Duncan Smith said the party is showing 'full solidarity with the trans community'. He said the parade is getting bigger each year 'because I think there's a realisation that the trans community need proper allegiance, proper support'. Labour will put a motion on the order paper this coming week on trans healthcare, 'the first motion on trans healthcare ever in the Dáil', he said. 'The National Transgender Service isn't fit for purpose for trans people and our health service needs to recognise that,' he said. The motion calls for 'what every citizen in this country should have….. healthcare in the community, GP-led healthcare, informed consult-led healthcare.' Logan Ferrante is a student from Georgia, US is visiting Ireland as part of a three-week study abroad programme. 'I thought it really important to come here today to fight not only for Irish transgender rights but for the rights of all transgender people globally.' Ciarán O'Donnell was one of a number of people wearing a T-shirt with the message 'Protect the Dolls'. He said it was introduced in May 'as a fashion statement to show your support and solidarity for trans people'.
Fox News
19-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Fox News
'Harry Potter' actor stands by JK Rowling at Tony Awards amid criticism of her transgender views
"Harry Potter" actor Tom Felton defended JK Rowling at Sunday night's Tony Awards after being asked about the fierce liberal backlash she's received for her views on gender and biology. The British actor was on the red carpet at the awards show Sunday, where he was interviewed by Variety about reprising his film role as Draco Malfoy in the Broadway play, "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child." The play, based off an original story co-authored by Rowling, takes place 19 years after the final "Harry Potter" novel. Felton was asked if the controversy surrounding Rowling's transgender views had affected his work at all, which he denied. Rowling has been a strong advocate for single-sex spaces for women and has repeatedly been labeled as transphobic by far-left activists. "No, I can't say that it does. I'm not really that attuned to it," Felton said before praising the series' author. "The only thing I always remind myself is that I've been lucky enough to travel the world — here I am in New York — and I have not seen anything bring the world together more than 'Potter,'" Felton explained to Variety. "And she's responsible for that, so I'm incredibly grateful." Felton previously expressed his admiration for the author in a 2022 interview as she faced criticism from transgender activists for her views. "I am quick to remind myself and others that 'Potter,' for some reason, has brought more people together across the world and more generations than probably anything else has in the past 20 years, and I'm quick to celebrate that," he told The Times of London in a 2022 interview. "It came from one person, and that's her, so I'm very grateful." Rowling's hugely popular book series, which launched the hit film franchise which Felton starred in, has not lost its appeal with fans. Beyond the Broadway play, the series is also being adapted into an upcoming HBO television series. Felton shared his excitement at reprising his Potter role all these years later with his Broadway debut. "I think we all thought that the fandom flame might be doused over the years, but clearly it's not," he said Sunday. "The most exciting part is to do it live. It took nine months, more or less, to shoot a film, and this is all compact. This is all reimagined into a very loving, new type of story. And I get to be a dad, which is really fun."
