How to be an activist for trans rights?
For those struggling in the UK today, especially in light of the recent Supreme Court ruling, attending a demonstration can be an incredibly powerful act. It’s not just about resistance—it’s about hope.
We recently attended a demo in London, and the atmosphere was something we really needed. In a time when things feel heavy and oppressive, simply being surrounded by others who care—who are just as angry, just as hurt, and just as determined—can remind you that you’re not alone. Seeing the flood of signs held by both trans people and allies was deeply validating. It felt like community. It felt like solidarity.
But here’s something important: you don’t have to attend a protest to be an activist.
Writing to your local MP or signing a petition might not feel as visible, but it’s just as essential. These are the ways we push for systemic change. MPs are the ones who can raise these issues in Parliament. They make the laws that courts apply. So, if something about this ruling feels wrong or unjust to you, let them know.
We sent a letter to our MP, asking them to take action—and this is important because it reminds them that real people are being affected. Our rights, our futures, our voices matter. When MPs hear from their constituents, especially in large numbers, it can drive real political momentum.
Below, we’ve included a letter template you can use to write to your own MP.
Write to your MP
Dear [Your MP],
In light of the recent Supreme Court ruling regarding transgender women and the implications this has upon the community, I’m writing to you as a concerned constituent and ally of transgender women. I urge you to speak out in Parliament about the deeply harmful and real-life consequences this decision has now created for the transgender community, including transwomen, transmen, non-binary and intersex people.
The ruling permits the exclusion of transgender individuals from single-sex spaces—such as women's shelters, hospital wards, and prisons—based on biological sex. This is a serious safety issue, it risks forcing transgender people to disclose their identities in circumstances where protection is imperative for example, using public toilets, accessing hospital wards and entering other single sexed spaces. Requiring someone to justify their presence in these spaces exposes them to harassment, transphobia and bigotry. It provides those with views which are harmful, the opportunity to weaponize them and erodes a transgender person's dignity and security in daily life.
Based on this ruling, the National Health Service has proposed updates to the NHS Constitution whereby transgender people are no longer provided healthcare on wards which align to their gender identity, but rather their biological sex. This poses major health and safety risks, leading to isolation and trauma as well the avoidance of healthcare. Placing transgender men or women in opposing wards risks harassment, misgendering and violence. It places those who have socially or medically transitioned in situations that are traumatic but also provides the opportunity to re-traumatize those who are experiencing distress or illness. Transgender individuals may now delay seeking healthcare due to fear of being outed or treated as their assigned sex at birth. This also could lead to poorer health outcomes for transgender people, in emergency, mental health, primary and gender affirming care.
This ruling has now also, overridden the previous policies in police custody whereby forces respected gender identity and allowed discretion based on risk and identity. However, upon reading the proposed updates to policy, they are extremely detrimental to transgender women and people. Having male officers carrying out strip searches on transgender women, potentially post surgery, exposes them to humiliation and trauma. It puts them are great risk of assault and abuse, as being in male custody environments is known to have an increased risk of verbal, physical and sexual abuse from both staff and other detainees. Furthermore, it causes a deep loss of trust in law enforcement, deterring trans people from reporting crimes. For transgender men, these risks are similar, eroding their dignity and causing them physical and psychological harm as well as violating their privacy and safety.
No one should have to choose between their safety and their identity. Everyone deserves the right to privacy, dignity and respectful treatment - especially in moments of vulnerability. I speak not only as an ally of transgender women, but also someone with personal experience. As someone who has grown up in this borough, and continues to live here as an adult, I have experienced rejection in healthcare, verbal and physical abuse and public shaming, simply for being myself. These experiences are heart breaking, they should never be a part of someone’s reality yet they remain common for many transgender and gender-diverse people.
This is not only an issue that profoundly affects transgender women, but also transgender men, non-binary and intersex individuals, many of whom already navigate a world that does not accommodate or protect them. This ruling has placed yet another legal and social barrier in their path.
I ask you to please raise your voice in Parliament to oppose this ruling and to advocate for the rights, safety and dignity of all transgender people. Our legal system should be a source of protection, not to be used to exclude and marginalise.
Thank you for your time and continued service to our community.
Yours sincerely,
[Your Name]
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