An estimated 150,000 people marched through central London on Saturday, protesting against new guidance on single-sex spaces and calling for local leader Andy Burnham to reject it. The demonstrators carried signs with messages such as 'marching for all my trans siblings past and present' and 'these meds save lives'.
The march, which began near the BBC's central London headquarters, culminated in Trafalgar Square, where crowds gathered to listen to speeches. Artist Teresa Margolles's sculpture, featuring face casts of 726 trans, non-binary, and gender non-conforming individuals, overlooked the gathering.
Caroline Litman, mother of a trans woman who died by suicide, spoke before the march, stating that more young people would die unless the Prime Minister reverses guidance on single-sex spaces, which she said was overseen by Sir Keir Starmer. Litman's daughter, Alice, died in May 2022 after waiting 1,023 days for gender-affirming care. Litman described a deterioration in the situation for trans individuals since then, recounting her daughter's experiences with discrimination and errors in seeking care, and expressed disappointment that conditions have worsened.
Speakers at the event urged the Prime Minister to reverse what they described as 'anti-trans policies' enacted under Sir Keir Starmer. They emphasized that research increasingly shows gender-affirming care to be life-saving, particularly for minors. This sentiment comes amid controversy surrounding the Prime Minister's views on single-sex spaces. Reports indicated he had stated that biological males identifying as female should be allowed in women's restrooms.
Burnham, the former Greater Manchester mayor, has recently advocated for a 'live and let live approach' regarding the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) guidance on single-sex spaces, encouraging dialogue and common ground. The Prime Minister has stated that amendments related to the Supreme Court's ruling on biological sex must be handled in the 'fairest and most compassionate way possible.'
The EHRC guidance, following a Supreme Court ruling in April 2025, stipulates that single-sex services should be based on biological sex rather than gender identity. The Equality Act 2010 defines 'woman' and 'sex' by biological sex.
Author Juno Dawson addressed Burnham directly, suggesting that Manchester, which she described as a city that 'loves trans people,' would support him if he spoke out in favor of trans rights, regardless of potential press opposition. She asserted that most women, who are often voters, strongly support trans rights and urged Burnham to align with this view. Dawson also criticized Starmer for not following through on pledges of support for the LGBT community made during his general election campaign.
Hannah Jones, who appeared in the BBC show 'What It Feels Like For a Girl,' also spoke, advocating for the inclusion of intersex people in discussions about gender and sex. She highlighted that biological sex is not always binary and mentioned that up to 30% of the population may be intersex without realizing it.
Alfie Bailey-Bearfield, advocacy lead at the Trans+ Solidarity Alliance, described the current environment as 'hostile' for trans individuals. He noted that the new guidance could lead to trans men being excluded from men's facilities and trans women from women's facilities, impacting non-binary individuals as well. The Trans+ Solidarity Alliance reported a significant number of people self-excluding from public life, including from workplaces, due to the current climate.
A government spokesperson stated that the government is committed to protecting the rights and dignity of all LGBT+ people. They affirmed that laws are in place to protect trans individuals from discrimination and harassment, and that protections against hate crime have been strengthened. The spokesperson also mentioned progress on banning conversion practices and promoting LGBT+ rights internationally, alongside improvements in LGBT+ healthcare. The updated guidance for keeping children safe in education was also cited as a priority.
The marchers expressed that there is no government obligation to adhere to the EHRC guidance and that Burnham could demonstrate support for the LGBTQ+ community by rejecting it. They also noted that Keir Starmer's general election victory included a pledge to support the LGBT community, a commitment they felt was not fulfilled.