LGBT Foundation’s Post

In today’s global environment, repression and subclassification of the LGBTQ+ community demands engagement with national leaders. Calling for protest and at the same time cordially socializing with those leaders can only be effective if LGBTQ+ leaders are heard while in the room. We must take every opportunity to have our voices heard.

I’m a huge admirer of your work. But the government doesn’t need a ‘critical friend’ while it seemingly works to exclude and erase trans people - particularly young people - from society. I have no critique around attendance of this event but I expect stronger language and advocacy from these organisations who have done so much to stand up for LGBTQ+ folk. This was disappointing to read.

Sadly I feel this reads like with are in the 2000s not 2025. From experience leading organisations, we work with governments that might not do enough or could do more for LGBTQI+ people, to as organisations help them make progress. What we don't need to do, is work with governments that are actively stripping away human rights and doing nothing to make lives better.That's the distinction and I feel this is missed in the actions taken across the organisations that attended Keir Starmer's rainbow washing event. Trans people have and are leaving Britain because of the actions of this Labour government and however you position the attendance at a pride celebration event held by this same government, it doesn't give confidence as organisations you understand the level of harm and impact trans people are facing. I know you have some amazing people doing tireless work across your organisations and applaud all that you do. But please look at solutions that fit the time we are living rather than the prospect of a nudge here and they came and listened there. Please hear us as trans people when we say you can be better, we want you to be better and we are here to work together to fight this government, please join us. 🏳️⚧️🏳️🌈

This is such a paltry and insulting reply. It shows you have not bothered to genuinely take on the critique people have offered. Firstly, “being in the room" implies quietly lobbying in some slightly damp smelling parliamentary committee room, not wearing Hawaiian shirts and sipping daiquiris in the rose garden of No 10 with an SLR in your faces. It’s all made even worse in light of almost every Pride in the UK making the active decision to ban political parties so they wouldn’t get their press op (ie the exact one you just gave them). I fear your CEO’s have mistaken careerism for activism and are now trying to retrofit a poor justification for wanting to go for a knees up. Just admit you got this one wrong, critique the government for setting you up, and say you’ll do better.

50 years is an incredible milestone, but you’ve received lots of awards and recognition for your important work over the years, why was this specific accolade necessary? It is precisely because of your extraordinary experience that the decision to take part in this event feels like such a shocking affront. What does your legacy even stand for if you prioritise opportunities to politely sip champagne with politicians that are actively working to harm trans people? Can you imagine activists doing something like this in the 80s and 90s? A tea party with Margaret Thatcher while her government work behind the scenes to draft section 28 and she gives homophobic quotes to the news papers. An unimaginable scene. I dont see anyone questioning the importance of attending parliamentary hearings, lobbying government and attending events where we can challenge politicians. But frankly, if taking part in a PARTY at number 10 right now doesn’t make you feel a bit sick to your stomach then maybe the leaders in attendance should consider if they have the skills and competency to represent trans+ communities during these important and terrifying times.