Pro LGBTQ+ groups connected to the Labour Party have spoken out after the formation of a splinter group, Labour LGB, which aims to “defend and enhance the rights of LGB people” whilst also calling for protections for single-sex spaces and “supporting the principles that same-sex attraction is real and that biology matters”.
Dee McCullough, a spokesperson for Labour LGB, who is also a member of Lesbian Labour, said: “We are a coalition of proud Labour Party LGB members.
“The last Labour government delivered a raft of landmark reforms that we celebrate. Civil partnerships, equal age of consent, equal employment rights, adoption law reform and abolishing Section 28 to name a few. In the years ahead, we need to be vigilant in maintaining these rights. We must defend the Equality Act which spelled out that sexual orientation is a protected characteristic.
“We want to ensure that the Labour government continues to accept that same-sex attraction is real and that biology matters. These principles must be embedded in legislative proposals and in government policy.”
The launch of Labour LGB, which aligns closely to controversial anti-trans organisation LGB Alliance, comes amid claims Keir Starmer’s government is shelving a manifesto commitment to make it easier for people to legally change their gender. In December, Labour Health Secretary Wes Streeting and the Department of Health and Social Care announced that puberty blockers in the treatment of trans youth would be banned “indefinitely” .
Alex Charilaou, co-chair of Labour for Trans Rights, said: “The values of the labour movement are those of equality, social justice and solidarity. This new group’s plans to divide the LGBT+ community in Labour will not work.
“We will always be extremely clear on this ‒ there is no LGB without the T.”
“Trans people are at the frontline of a wider reactionary culture war. Gay, lesbian, bi and other LGBT+ people recognise that their rights are just as under threat from growing far-right attacks as the trans community.
“We hope LGBT+ Labour will disavow this group as antithetical to the aims of the LGBT+ rights movement and the Labour Party.”
Jamie Strudwick, Co-chair of the Pride for Labour, added: “Pride in Labour exists to champion LGBTQIA+ rights within the Labour Party. We are utterly appalled that a new splinter group, Labour LGB, is seeking to capitalise on the vile transphobia which is so deeply embedded within our society.
“We will always be extremely clear on this ‒ there is no LGB without the T.
“We are at an extremely dangerous crossroads where trans people and their right to exist is being brought into question, and we cannot allow this sickening cycle to continue.
“Be under no illusion ‒ the vast majority of gay, lesbian and bisexual people stand firmly with trans people, because they have always been, and always will be part of our family.”
