"Hastings is Proudly Trans Inclusive - Let’s Keep it That Way."

In the seaside town of Hastings in East Sussex, over 1,100 people have signed a petition proclaiming that "Hastings is Proudly Trans Inclusive - Let’s Keep it That Way".

The petition was started by local residents who were sad and angry to read an article in a local paper that repeated many misleading, inaccurate and derogatory points about trans people. The timing of the article was particularly divisive - coming a month after the hugely successful Trans Pride Hastings and just a week before Hastings Pride.

East Sussex is among the most LGBTQ+ -friendly areas of the UK and Hastings has long been a diverse and welcoming community that thrives on inclusion. The petition captured this spirit and on the first day over 500 people signed the petition in support of the trans community in Hastings, rising to 1,000 signatures within a week.

Co-founder of Trans Pride Hastings, Victoria Oldman, stated: “Hastings and St Leonards has time and time again proven to be an enormously welcoming and accepting place for the trans community. We will continue to proudly demonstrate this to show that Hastings is not only a place where trans and non-binary folks are supported, but can thrive. There is absolutely no place for hate or exclusion of any sort in our town.”

Becca Horn, Mayor of Hastings, said, “Last month I attended the Hastings Trans Pride Picnic up at the Museum. It was a truly heart-warming event that evoked a positive, inclusive community vibe. I can think of no safer or more welcoming place than to be amongst people who respect each other’s right to exist in all our beautiful variety, and who show up with kindness and compassion in the face of increasing prejudice and malice.”

Women’s Voice, a charity run by women for all women in Hastings and St Leonards, released a statement via their social media channels and newsletter in support of the local trans community. They said: “There is no liberation and safety for women without liberation and safety for trans people. Now more than ever is the time to stand together in solidarity for the sake of our rights.”

At a time when the rights of trans people are under attack, and the national press is stoking hatred, it is warming to see so many people warmly embracing trans people and choosing love not hate.

You can read and sign the petition by following this link to More Love, Less Hate on change.org.

Additionally, all cis women who want to show support for their trans sisters are invited to sign the ‘Not in our Name’ petition, which has gained over 40,000 signatures.