Organisers of Bristol Pride call on Bath Magistrates to see sense and review the placement of a Trans women from Bath to a male prison in Bristol.
Tara Hudson from Bath was sentenced to serve 13 weeks in a Bristol male prison last Friday after pleading guilty to an assault that took place in Bath last December.
Tara was assigned male at birth but has lived her adult life as a women, has undergone several chest reconstruction surgeries and takes regular hormone injections.
Bristol Pride Director Daryn Carter, said: “This is clearly a sensitive issue but there is guidance available from the Home Office on this matter and yet Bath Magistrates have decided to sentence Tara, a women, to a male prison.
“We believe the issue is because Tara may not have a Gender Recognition Certificate but common sense should prevail and has again highlighted the shocking inequality that exists for Trans people.
“Member of the LGBT community in Bath and Bristol have jumped to action including Bath’s Gender Equality Network and the regional Trans Network and I am also really please by the number of people who do not identify as being gay or trans condemning this action.
“The general public can clearly see that Tara does not belong in a male prison so we are calling on Bath Magistrates to use some common sense, regardless of the absence of a certificate.”
A Gender Recognition Certificate is issued by the government for those who want their gender to be legally recognised in the UK when they transition.
An online petition launched by Bath’s Gender Equality Network has received over 3600 signatures in less than 12 hours including being signed by Green Party Leader Natalie Bennett.
To sign the petition, click here:
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