The atmosphere was celebratory, but the purpose was political. Organisers and attendees at Edinburgh march for transgender equality reported plenty of community spirit mingled with a hope for positive change.
Beth Douglas, the Rainbow Greens Convener, and one of the march organisers said:
“For a long time, there’s been a spotlight on the trans community. There’s an endless debate and moral panic surrounding gender reform, and improvements to our rights have been on hold for years.
“There’s a lot of debate around trans rights and around our lives. It’s time we had a frank open discussion about what we want.”
The march wished to convey three political messages:
The desire to completely ban conversion therapy treatments.
The need for immediate improvements to trans healthcare.
The desire for bolder and further reaching gender recognition reform.
READ MORE: Edinburgh's seven 'biggest eyesores' that locals absolutely love to hate
As the Scottish Parliament returns to session, they will be reconsidering the tabled Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill.
The Reform would make it the process by which people can obtain a gender recognition certificate easier and thereby make it easier to gain legal recognition of a trans person’s gender.
Current procedure require people who identify as transgender to apply to a UK gender recognition panel and provide a medical diagnosis of gender dysphoria as well as evidence they have lived in their acquired gender for two years.
Under the new proposals, applications would be handled by the Registar General for Scotland with no medical report requirements. The total waiting time would be reduced to six months and the age at which people can apply would be reduced to 16.
Douglas said:
“It meant a lot to see so many people with different political views sacrificing their Monday morning to fight for better rights for trans people.
“It gives me pride that we have a movement of people that are willing to go above and beyond for trans people and it gives me hope that we the changes we want to the GRA reforms, trans healthcare reforms and a full ban of conversion therapy is in arms reach we just need to keep this momentum going.
Erin Lux, co-convener for Out for Independence, was also in attendance. The march, she said, started in front of the Edinburgh City Chambers and ended with speeches in front of the Scottish Parliament at Holyrood.
“It was a combination of a celebration as well as a demand for more. We are glad Gender Reform is being discussed, but we want it to go further,” she said.
“The march was an opportunity for the community to come together in real life and get away from the online debate where people are being radicalised by misinformation. Beth put it best: she was the last speaker and summed up how a lot of us felt. She said for her as a trans woman and as members of the community, the march made it feel safe to come out and gave us hope. The changes we’re talking about are going to save and improve people’s lives. ”
A local woman named Christina also reported a joyous and supportive atmosphere.
“It was great to meet others there as a cisgender woman trying to be a good ally and meeting other like-minded people who believe women's rights are not threatened by trans quality,” she said.
Representatives from the Scottish Lib Dems, Scottish Greens, Scottish Labour, and the Out For Indyl LGBTQ+ wing of The SNP were in attendance. Edinburgh City Councillors including Cllr. Finlay McFarlane, Cllr Alys Mumford, and Cllr Jule Bandel attended. Others Tweeted their support.
READ NEXT: Energy price cap: Martin Lewis shares minimum amount households will pay
Edinburgh bar find hidden passageway to forgotten square during building repairs
Edinburgh property: Unique house with jaw-dropping view of bridges hits the market
Edinburgh Euromillions winner Jane Park has 'holiday nightmare' after hotel room discovery
Man causes family feud after row over expensive restaurant bill for 17 people
