Trans and cis activists gathered together in a show of strength and resilience as a counterbalance to an anti-trans rally happening 100 metres away at the same time. The anti-trans protesters were out to show their anger and frustration at the Scottish Government for not banning trans people from single-sex spaces. Both rallies attracted around 100 people.
A real display of courage against hate
The Pro trans gathering was organised by two trans rights groups: Resisting Transphobia in Edinburgh (RTiE) and Trans Kids Deserve Better (TKDB). Both groups frequently campaign and organise to protect trans people in Scotland. The atmosphere was joyful, determined and showed real community spirit characterised by speeches, chants, singing together with shared thanks and appreciation for the community.
Beth (they/them) spoke of a real need for everyone “to live in safety, dignity and joy.”
This desire was shared by Sigrid Nielsen (she/her), lesbian and lifelong feminist:
I’ve been a feminist for 50 years – and in that time I’ve seen lesbians and feminists change the world. Change means reaching out to others who are oppressed – people of colour, working-class people, queer people, trans people.
Both speakers showed real empathy for the struggles faced by all minorities. This empathy was echoed by the organisers.
Erica Brooks (she/her) of RTiE:
As a non-trans woman and a feminist, I consider bodily autonomy essential to feminism. Tran’s rights and women’s rights are not just complementary – they are the same struggle. You can’t attack my sister’s autonomy without attacking mine too. The extreme right wants us to believe we can improve our lives by turning on each other, but that has never been true.
A TKDB spokesperson went on to say:
We will continue to fight for our rights despite the growing marginalisation of our community.
A heartfelt sing-along to close out the event
Towards the end of the demo, the organisers led the crowd in singing a song called All Women’s Rights. It was sung to the melody of Auld Lang Syne, a rendition full of real heart and passion.
The words “We Stand together side by side, we will defend our rights” rang out loud across the grounds of Holyrood. People in the crowd embraced each other as they sang.
The other demo: a hostile reception from the anti-trans crowd
Reporting on the anti-trans demo, I was immediately met with cries of “He’s a man!” as I moved into their crowd with my assistant. Speaking with a police liaison officer, she said our presence was “causing a lot of tension’’. Being a trans woman, I was clearly not welcome.
One protester said: “We don’t give them [Trans Women] space”
Further comments were yelled at us before we left the area. These included “You’re a man get out!’’ “Men, men, men” and, most bizarre of all, “Absolutely vile glasses’’.
Another police liaison officer attempted to calm a gender critical protester who was shouting “They’re men!”. When the officer told this protester, “There’s no need to be unkind and insult’’ she responded, “They’re absolutely vile” and “I don’t care about being nice”.
This demo was mostly attended by middle aged and elderly white people and had a large press and police presence. The entire atmosphere overall was rowdy and antagonistic. Quite different to the pro-trans further along the street.
Throughout the afternoon, people came over from the anti-trans demonstration to the pro-trans gathering, carrying photographic devices and trying to take photos of the pro-trans crowd, even though there were children in the crowd. Despite the organisers telling them to stop, they continued.
The pro-trans demonstrators held up flags to prevent the children from being photographed or filmed.
One location – two very different demos
The pro-trans demo was a celebration of diversity and showing compassion for others, with spirited conversations ongoing throughout the day. The anti-trans demo, by stark contrast, felt threatening to this reporter with many transphobic diatribes being yelled out by the crowd. What a difference.
TKDB summed it up best:
Time and time again, TERFs (trans-exclusionary radical feminist) continue to use the argument that ‘kids aren’t mature enough’ or ‘they’ll grow out of it’. Listen from the transgender’s mouth: TERFs, we are trans, we will not grow out of it, this is who we are! And no ‘gender critical’ TERF will tell us otherwise!
