Labour’s retreat on Trans Rights sparks grassroots uprising

Pride in Labour, a grassroots LGBTQ+ network within the Labour Party, has announced a protest in response to the cancellation of the party’s annual Women’s Conference. The demonstration, titled Conference Cancelled, Democracy Denied, will take place on Saturday, 27 September at 3.30pm outside the Wheel of Liverpool, coinciding with the main Labour Party Conference.

The decision to cancel the Women’s Conference follows legal advice issued to Labour’s National Executive Committee (NEC) after a Supreme Court ruling earlier this year. The ruling interpreted the terms “woman” and “sex” in the Equality Act 2010 as referring exclusively to biological sex. Labour’s leadership was advised that, under this interpretation, the Women’s Conference could only legally admit those assigned female at birth - a move that would exclude trans women.

Rather than proceed with a conference that would exclude trans members, the NEC opted to cancel the event entirely. This decision has sparked widespread criticism from LGBTQ+ activists, trade unionists, and progressive Labour members, who argue that the cancellation silences women - particularly trans women - and undermines democratic participation within the party.

Avery Greatorex, Co-Chair of Pride in Labour, said: “This is a cowardly and authoritarian move. Cancelling the Women’s Conference is an attack on women - especially trans women - who are already scapegoated and marginalised. Labour’s leadership is afraid of its own members and has chosen to shut them out rather than stand up for inclusion and democracy.”

The protest is expected to draw support from across the Labour movement, including members of LGBT+ Labour and Labour for Trans Rights. Organisers say the demonstration will call attention to what they describe as a broader pattern of exclusion and retreat from progressive values within the party.

The cancellation also comes amid controversy over proposed changes to all-women shortlists, which the NEC now suggests should apply only to “biological females.” Critics argue this marks a significant rollback of Labour’s previous commitment to trans-inclusive policies.

Pride in Labour is urging all allies - cis and trans - to join the protest and demand that the party recommit to its values of equality, inclusion, and democratic engagement.