In our current climate, the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia (IDAHoBiT) feels more important than ever before.
From government policy to rises in transphobia – there have been a lot of occasions this year when we’ve been left feeling frustrated and fearful for the future of the LGBTQ+ community.
Sometimes the best we can do is sit with those emotions and then when we’re ready – take the best steps we can to make change. We’ve put together a couple of things you can write to your MP about right now.
Sometimes it can feel hopeless when you login to Twitter and find yourself faced with another series of attacks on the community – but by continuing to come together, accepting one another and ensuring our voices are heard, we can and will make change.
Conversion Therapy Ban
Already 37,660 have emailed their MPs about the proposed conversion therapy ban not including trans people. This act of transphobia is an attempt to cause ostracization within an LGBTQ+ community that needs to stand together more than ever before. To ensure that the conversion therapy ban covers every person in our community, follow Stonewall’s template to easily write to your MP.
Click here to email your MP
Recognising non-binary as a legal gender identity
On Monday the 23rd of May, MPs will be debating whether to recognise non-binary as a legal gender identity following a petition that accrued more than 140,000 signatures. In the lead up to the debate, it’s worth writing to your MP about this, so they have an understanding of their constituent’s feelings. Fingers crossed that we see non-binary legally recognised soon.
Click here to contact your MP
LGBTQ education inclusivity
If you’ve had an eye on the news over the last few months, you’ll have noticed backlash against LGBTQ education in schools all over the world. In Florida, the Don’t Say Gay bill, which bars teaching about sexuality and gender identity, sets a precedent for a scary future and could potentially encourage similar policies. You can help to encourage a more inclusive future by engaging with some fantastic LGBTQ educational programmes, including Stonewall’s campaign.
Click here to read about Stonewall’s campaign for LGBTQ inclusive education
Equal access to IVF
Depending on where you live in the UK, as an LGBTQ+ person you will likely face additional barriers to accessing IVF, with many people having to self-finance treatment. There’s currently a movement to encourage equality for IVF – and you can use Stonewall’s template below to write to your MP and push for change.
Click here to email your MP