Bristol LGBTQ+ organisations respond to LGB Alliance Charity Commission ruling

In a move that has rocked the trans community, the LGB Alliance has been granted official charity status by the UK Charity Commission. The group opposes transgender people’s right to be in single sex spaces, fights against gender self-identification for trans people, and is considered to be a transphobic hate group by much of the wider LGBTQ+ community.

The Alliance claims that it is not a hate group, and that their mission is to fight pro-trans legislation that it believes “undermines the central importance of biological sex” in order to eliminate “discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation”.

The ruling not only entitles the LGB Alliance to certain tax relief and opens doors to new fundraising sources, it also grants the group a level of trust and legitimacy in the eyes of the public. This has caused widespread concern among trans people and the wider LGBTQ+ community, including many of Bristol’s trans-inclusive LGBTQ+ organisations and people.

Liam McKinnon, Communications Director, Off The Record

Liam McKinnon

“Trans, non-binary and gender diverse people face discrimination, oppression and injustice which manifests itself in inequality across the communities we live and work in. Decisions which counter the legitimacy of LGBTQ+ lives massively exacerbate this”

“Experiencing hate, stigma and discrimination prevents trans, non-binary and gender diverse people from feeling safe, seen, supported and loved.  At OTR we know this does not have to be the case”

“The message from OTR is that we want change, we’re with you, we’re so proud to work with you. LGBTQ+ people should be able to exist freely without question or challenge. Queer young people change the world!”

Isaac Stevens-Parr, Diversity and Inclusion Secretary, Bristol Bisons

Isaac Stephens-Parr

“As a Team built with inclusion as our cornerstone value, we are very concerned about the LGB Alliance being granted charity status. Trans people will always and have always belonged in LGBTQ+ spaces and any attempt to change that should only be seen as the bigotry it is. ”

“ Charities are meant to increase the public good, and campaigning to roll back protections for trans people should not be considered as such. Trans people everywhere need to know that they are loved and valid, regardless of what a small but vocal minority say.”

Karen Freer and Chloe Southworth, LGBTQ+ Faces Of Bristol

Karen Freer

Karen Freer, founder

“Our organisation celebrates what it means to be LGBTQ+ with an ethos to include everyone and depict the community as a whole. We do not think that the LGB Alliance is worthy of charity status as it breeds transphobia, creating an acceptance of future transphobic behaviours and systems. ”

“ When I started LGBTQ+ Faces of Bristol I set out to include everyone, I would never actively exclude a group of people and I think it is outrageous and very sad that people within this community could consider only LGB people as worthy to be part of their group. We must stand together, make noise and show love to trans and non-binary individuals who have been failed by this ruling.”

Chloe Southworth, Assistant Photographer, PR & Comms 

Chloe Southworth

“As someone who identifies as non-binary this makes me feel very scared for the future. There is enough transphobic rhetoric in the media without it happening within the LGBTQ+ community itself and it makes me worry that trans identities will be further rejected and no longer seen as part of the queer community”

“I’m hopeful this will encourage community support for our trans siblings, however, the status of the charity alone will encourage support for transphobia. Just remember that this ruling doesn’t reflect the community as a whole. You are still loved by so many from within the community. Keep being your authentic selves- you are loved.”

DIS, performer and producer

DIS

“Considering the history of transphobia within the gay scene, I am not surprised, I maintain my disgust with with this continued narrative that excludes trans people from the dialogue. We owe literally everything to trans persons of colour. It is unacceptable, they cannot be considered a charity, they do not represent us. We should not be having to fight and die for this narrative. It is disgusting, exclusive and vile.”

Dayrn Carter, Programming and Partnerships Director, Bristol Pride

Daryn Carter

“We’re really disappointed that the LGB Alliance has been granted charitable status and we’ve made our position clear on this. We’ve joined other Pride events around the UK to sign a letter of condemnation that has been sent to the Charities Commission to express our deep concern”

“Know that you are valid, you are loved, you are seen and we will keep fighting for you and with you. No one gets left behind.”

Main Photo: Jack Joseph

Read More: ‘One day, I will live in a world where all people are deemed equal – including trans people’