Greens: FM must turn words into action on trans rights
Scottish Greens have urged the First Minister to follow her warm words on trans rights into action by the Scottish Government.
Following a video on social media by Nicola Sturgeon in support of trans people, who have felt increasingly marginalised within the SNP, Scottish Greens co-leader Patrick Harvie called on the Scottish Government to match her rhetoric with actions.
Reform of the Gender Recognition Act (GRA) in Scotland was promised by all parties at the last election, to improve the lives and make access to services easier for trans people, but it was first delayed and then abandoned by the Scottish Government in the face of pressure from right-wing groups.
At FMQs, Patrick Harvie called for action. He said:
“The First Minister was right to express regret about the transphobia within her party and to promise a zero-tolerance approach to this prejudice in the future, but it must also be followed with the same commitment by her government.
“The SNP has allowed the human rights of a marginalised group to be questioned, and for transphobia to be treated as legitimate debate, leading to unacceptable delays to progress in delivering those rights. The result has been to fuel a huge increase in prejudice, with trans people subject to an onslaught of abuse.
“The fact is promises made to trans and non-binary people, to make their lives easier, to improve their healthcare and to uphold their rights, were broken, and that transphobia in Scotland has grown far worse as a result of the government's failure to act. Words are not enough now, and we need to see urgent, bold action both from the Government and from the SNP as a party.”
