Joint Statement from Labour LGBTQ+, SDLP LGBT+ & Labour Women Ireland Condemning UK Labour party ban on trans women from attending its conference
Joint Statement from Labour LGBTQ+, SDLP LGBT+ & Labour Women Ireland Condemning UK Labour party ban on trans women from attending its conference - The Labour Party
Labour LGBTQ+, SDLP LGBT+ & Labour Women Ireland condemns, in the strongest terms, the shameful decision by the UK Labour Party NEC to ban trans women from attending the Labour’s women’s (UK) Conference. Trans women will be barred from the main part of the 2026 Labour (UK) women’s conference and entrance to the main conference hall. The resulting prohibition will deny the rights of Trans women to have their say on policy debates, motions and national women’s committee elections.
The decision follows on from the UK supreme court’s ruling on gender identification and the rights of self determination for trans individuals. This regrettable decision by Labour UK calls into question the party’s fundamental values and its commitment to human rights, equality and feminism. In the current climate, the trans community is the canary in the mine for the growing wave of anti-LGBTQIAP+ rhetoric that is fuelled by far-right agitators from inside and outside of the UK and Europe. This is a slippery slope that risks undermining social progress and the fundamental democratic rights we all depend on.
Joshua Ellul, Co-Chair of Labour LGBTQ+ said,
“This decision is completely contrary to Labour Party values. We would urge The British Labour Party to urgently reconsider its position and to not make its internal party policy with regard to potential legal challenge but with regard to the core values which labour parties should seek to uphold.”
Hannah Deasy, Chair of Labour Women Ireland said:
“Our movement is predicated on equality. Excluding trans women is anathema to our values. We are deeply disappointed in developments in the UK and call on the UK Labour Party to remember that feminism is an inclusive movement that should seek to build better lives for all.”
Labour LGBTQ+ & Labour Women Ireland welcome the support from SDLP LGBT+ in this issue. It’s imperative to make a stand and oppose this unjust action. We call on the UK Labour party’s national executive to reverse this shameful decision and not exclude trans women from the democratic process.