DOZENS of people attended a ‘trans rights’ protest outside Barnsley Town Hall on Easter Monday.
The rally was called to protest against the Supreme Court ruling that the legal definition of a woman is based on ‘biological sex’.
It followed similar rallies across the country as trans people expressed their fear at the attacks they may face and were supported by large numbers of non-trans people.
In spite of the pouring rain, more than 60 people joined the Barnsley protest which took place outside the town hall.
Kieran Rodwell, who organised the event, told the Chronicle: “I organised the protest in opposition to the recent Supreme Court rulings.
“I am a transgender man.
“I was feeling helpless in the wake of a future now filled with legal uncertainty.
“Knowing this was essentially an attack on transgender women I felt I needed to show solidarity.
“I knew that even in an old mining town like Barnsley there is a whole network of people who have the compassion and determination to support our cause.
“Calling the meeting I felt that if just one person felt supported and validated it would be worth it.
“We gave out the message that trans women are not alone in this community there is no LGB without the T.”
Members of the Barnsley Trades Union Council showed their support by attending the event.
Secretary George Arthur added: “Called at short notice with awful weather the rally was a great success.
“For those trans people who came along it was a show of support to them which was just what they need.
“I was a teacher when Section 28 was brought in by Thatcher.
“That was an attack on gay people.
“My union, the NUT now the NEU organised with other unions to campaign for the repeal of that legislation.
“It took 15 years but it was defeated.
“Hopefully the campaign to reverse this ruling will win in a shorter time.”
George is inviting anyone to attend a trades council meeting in the Civic next month.
“It’s like the right wing is continually looking to drive us backwards,” he added.
“Already there is a Facebook post saying ‘we’ve won the battle against trans ideology, now we need to speak up about the dangers of mass immigration for women’.
“One prejudice leads to another.
“We need to work together to make sure Barnsley is indeed No Place For Hate.
“The trades council’s public meeting in the Civic, at 11am on Saturday May 3, invites people from the trans community to join us.”
Lib Dem councillors Hannah Kitching and Will Fielding were both in attendance on Monday to show their support.
Will said: “It was heartening to see so many people turn out to support the demonstration in such rainy weather.
“The recent Supreme Court ruling risks the safety of our trans and non-binary community an already vulnerable minority.
“We are always proud to stand in support of them.
“The greatest risk to women’s safety is and always has been cis men and this ruling does nothing to keep women including trans women safe from violence and sexual assault.
“It is clear that the law now needs to change in order better protect the trans community.”
