Your identity, your choice! A Statement of Support for Transgender People

At Social Interest Group, we champion the importance of positive identity as a crucial element in health, happiness and independence.

Therefore, we have been deeply concerned by the recent hostile language of several high-profile individuals in mainstream politics, including the Prime Minister. How an individual chooses to identify is a matter of personal choice so long as it does not harm others, and we condemn in the strongest possible terms the comments made by the Prime Minister, Home Secretary and Health Secretary last week.

These remarks are inaccurate and irresponsible and risk inciting further hatred and violence against transgender people at a time when it already takes real courage for people to feel they can be themselves. Recorded hate crimes against trans people rose 11% in the year leading up to March 2023 and are at their highest rate since the government started recording that statistic over a decade ago.

As an organisation, we stand together with all residents, participants and staff members affected by these remarks in any way. If you have been affected and would like to understand what support options are available or just to discuss further, please get in touch with Norman Alcide, our Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Programme Manager, at norman.alcide@socialinterestgroup.org.uk

Together, we want to see a world where how someone identifies is a cause for celebration and where gender identity is irrelevant when accessing opportunities and support to live a healthy and happy life. We stand in solidarity with trans people everywhere.