Nottingham Against Transphobia is holding a protest on Saturday, April 15 from 1pm at the Speaker’s Corner in the city center.

The protest has been scheduled following the announcement that there are plans to review the Equality Act 2010 to change existing provisions about sex and gender. Transgender activists in Nottingham are encouraging allies and the wider LGBT+ community to come out in support and show opposition.

It is a very difficult time for the transgender and non-binary community across the UK due to a concerning increase in anti-trans rights groups, negative media and commentary. The proposal would change the understanding of ‘sex’ to refer to ‘biological sex’ which would eliminate the ability of transgender people to gain full legal recognition for their gender identity.

The protest hopes to highlight the injustices faced by the community and members of the group highlighted the ‘shock’ they felt on hearing of the proposed changes.

“We are trying to raise awareness of that and how it ties in with the issues facing transgender people at the moment in this country. There are a lot of negative attitudes being pushed in the press and larger media groups but this was brought about by the shock we all experienced when this supposedly equalities and human rights group gave advice that would very negatively affect trans lives,” a spokesperson for the Nottingham Against Transphobia told Nottingham World.

The group are calling for people to join the protest which is being held at Speaker’s Corner and help make some noise in support. The campaigners wil be joined by Jess O’ Thomson from the Trans Safety Network who will give an address as well as Maryam Din from Trans Actual.

“We are hoping for as many people as possible and we do know there is a lot of support out there. We’ve had conversations with families, friends and more recently, at protests which have had a good number of people turn up. It was heartwarming to see how many showed up and we hope people will come again,” they said.

“Even if it’s only one person, then sometimes that is all it takes to create something good and positive. Showing up in numbers, and making noise is good as well as talking to people to address any negativity. We want to encourage people to write to their local MP and larger government bodies as well.”

They added: “You can write to the EHRC itself, to its complaints department to create noise and start pushing back. We feel extremely powerless in the face of a government saying these things.”

When it comes to safety, support and inclusivity in Nottingham, the spokesperson outlined to Nottingham World that it’s a ‘good city’ and that people have become more wary. The LGBT+ community in Nottingham has been protective and supportive of the transgender community opting to make the theme of last year’s pride - we see you - aimed at highlighting the diversity of the thriving community.

“Nottingham is a good city and there is not too much of an overt worry at the moment. People are getting wary of different situations and always looking over the shoulder because it's an escape from the amount of negativity around transgender lives. We are all slightly concerned about where this is going to go,” they said.

In a statement on the EHRC website, Baroness Kishwer Falkner, Chairwoman of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, said:

“A change to the Equality Act 2010, so that the protected characteristic of ‘sex’ means biological sex, could bring clarity in a number of areas, but potential ambiguity in others. Our response to the Minister’s request for advice suggests that the UK Government carefully identify and consider the potential implications of this change.”

In Nottingham, there are several supportive networks out there that work with the transgender and non-binary community to provide help, counselling and referrals to support services. Nottingham’s LGBT+ Network is one such service along with the Nottingham Trans Hub.

“We don’t want Nottingham to become an unsafe space at all which is why the protests are important to push back against that. There is so much support here around this and groups available for contact so that no one ever needs to feel alone or that they are shouldering a burden in their city. There is a lot of help out there.”