Parents advocating for the rights of LGBTQ+ children congregated at the UK Parliament this week to voice their concerns regarding the growing challenges faced by queer youth in the current climate. The gathering was spearheaded by five volunteers from Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (FFLAG), an organisation dedicated to supporting families of LGBTQ+ people. The meeting aimed to engage Members of Parliament on urgent issues affecting their children.
Sarah Furley, the chairwoman of FFLAG, expressed the group’s dismay at needing to lobby Parliament once again for their children's rights and dignity. "We had hoped the days of needing to lobby Parliament for the rights and dignity of our children had passed, but sadly here we are again," she stated, highlighting the sense of alarm among parents regarding the recent shifts in policy. Furley emphasised the deep fears of parents amid these changes, asserting, "Our parents are scared of what is now happening, and we will not stand quietly by as new barriers are put in the way of our children’s happiness, health, and success."
Among the key issues raised during the meeting were controversial education policies introduced by the former Conservative government which, FFLAG argued, would rollback rights for LGBTQ+ students in UK schools. These included a draft guidance that suggested that gender-questioning children should be 'outed' to their parents—a move that FFLAG warned would "destroy trust, and only do harm to both child and parent." The group labelled the guidance as “bad”, continuing to assert that such policies risked endangering the emotional and psychological welfare of children grappling with their identities.
Additionally, FFLAG called for the new Labour government to revoke a nationwide ban on puberty blockers for trans youth. The group referred to recent changes in Relationships, Sex, and Health Education (RSHE) as the "equivalent of a new Section 28", a reference to the former legislation that prohibited discussions about homosexuality in schools for over ten years.
In tandem with these educational policy concerns, recent statistics from YouGov indicated a troubling decrease in support for trans rights across the UK. The data revealed that only 37% of women supported the legal right for trans individuals to change their gender in 2023, a decline from 44% in the previous year. Acceptance was also found to be declining in younger demographics, where merely 50% of those aged 18-24 supported the legal changes. The findings also highlighted a significant rise in opposition towards gender-affirming healthcare and discussions around gender identity.
Notably, the survey reported that many people opposed governmental support for trans healthcare through the National Health Service, with 57% against funding such care. In terms of youth health interventions, a staggering 75% of respondents opposed puberty blockers for individuals younger than 16, while 78% objected to hormone treatments for minors. This portion of the survey also revealed public sentiment against trans women competing in women’s sports, with 74% of respondents advocating for their exclusion.
In light of the heightened tensions and growing hostility towards trans rights, FFLAG has adapted its mission to provide support for parents of trans children, who now constitute the majority of families participating in their meetings. Initially focused on campaigning, the organisation has redirected its efforts towards direct family support. However, in response to increasing societal challenges, FFLAG has been compelled to re-engage in advocacy to counter the negative shifts impacting LGBTQ+ youth. The group remains committed to ensuring that the voices of families with LGBTQ+ children are heard in parliament and beyond.
Source: Noah Wire Services