We Took Our Fight Straight to Downing Street

We brought our truth to the seat of power - whether they want to hear it or not. We will not be silenced.

On the 2nd of May, Pride in Labour launched a petition calling on the Labour government to reject the EHRC’s harmful guidance. In just a few weeks, we gathered 841 signatures and over 100 powerful stories from trans people and allies across the country. Then, on the 10th of June, our co-chairs (Jamie and Avery) - our treasurer (Stephen) and a Pride in Labour supporter (Elliot) hand-delivered that petition straight to Downing Street.

We’d submitted a formal request to hand the petition in at the door of No. 10 - and it was initially approved. But just a few days before the hand-in, we were told that petition submissions had been cancelled. Thankfully, circumstances shifted again and we were eventually allowed to take the petition directly to the door after all.

Stephen, Elliot, and Jamie outside No. 10

Elliot holding the petition outside No. 10

Stephen holding the petition outside No. 10

Jamie holding the petition outside No. 10

Elliot, Avery, and Jamie holding the petition at the gate to No. 10

Jamie handing the petition to the Downing Street custodian

A photo of Downing Street

Jamie and Elliot stood with the Downing Street custodian

Avery and Jamie

Unfortunately, Avery was unable to join the team entering Downing Street. Like many institutions, Downing Street does not have adequate systems in place to accommodate individuals who have changed their name by deed poll and are in the process of updating their identification documents. Although Avery presented a digital copy of her deed poll, this was not accepted. Without an updated passport, something currently out of reach due to financial barriers, she was effectively excluded. Sadly, this is a reality all too common within the trans community.

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Despite this awful setback, we’re incredibly proud to have brought our community’s voices right to the seat of power. We know this probably won’t change much - but showing up matters, and being visible matters. And above all, making sure decision-makers hear from LGBTQIA+ people directly matters.

Later that day, we also joined Labour for Trans Rights at an event in Parliament where we had the opportunity to speak to MPs including Nadia Whittome, Lorraine Beavers, Angela Eagle, John McDonnell, and more. These conversations are vital - not just for building connections, but for making our case directly to the people shaping our future. We were pleased with the level of engagement we got from these MPs who cared deeply not just about trans people, but also what the party had done recently.

We want to repeat our offer to Keir Starmer - and extend it to every single Labour MP: we want to sit down down with you. We want to talk. We want to help you understand how your decisions affect us. Because no decision about us should ever be made without us. That is a principle that we will always fight for.