> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# Lib Dem activist quits diversity ambassador position due to transphobia
- URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/lib-dem-activist-quits-diversity-ambassador-position-due-to-transphobia/
- Published: 2021-02-11T09:01:47.000Z
- Updated: 2021-02-10T10:52:01.000Z
- Description: Trans activist and Liberal Democrat party member, Jasmine Joséphine Sakura-Rose, has quit her position as a diversity ambassador for the 50:50 Parliament programme.
- Author: Rachel Badham
- Tags: News, Politics, Queer Corner, LGBT Labour, LGBTQ, Non-binary, Trans Rights, Transgender

![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/jasmine-josephine-sakura-rose.jpg)

Trans activist and Liberal Democrat party member, **Jasmine Joséphine Sakura-Rose**, has quit her position as a diversity ambassador for the [**50:50 Parliament** ](https://5050parliament.co.uk/?ref=scenemag.co.uk)programme, saying the group hosts anti-trans speakers and ignores the voices of trans and non-binary people. 50:50 Parliament was set up in 2013 and aims to *“achieve an inclusive gender-balanced parliament”* by encouraging political parties to be more inclusive.

However, Sakura-Rose criticised the group in a [resignation letter](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1grPZzyT8SMAuTCbGFk7rWtGWCcg5ha-W6BpAbEIP3SU/edit?ref=scenemag.co.uk), saying: *“It has become abundantly clear to me that while 50:50 is perfectly happy to use women and non-binary people from diverse backgrounds for publicity purposes, when it comes down to listening to those women and non-binary people it is the viewpoints of cis white women who are privileged over others…I cannot be a part of an organisation that thinks it’s acceptable to use trans and non-binary people, but does not listen to them. I cannot be a part of an organisation that thinks diversity is just having faces you can use to get your ‘diversity cookies’.”*

![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/trans-rights-now-protest-1.jpg)

She also condemned 50:50’s tendency to platform anti-trans speakers: *“Despite having already raised the issue of 50:50 Parliament hosting known transphobes and ignoring the voices of trans women and non-binary people over this 50:50 Parliament has persisted in hosting transphobes. When asked if they’d be willing to host a racist over the objections of its Diversity Ambassadors I was told that there would be a discussion involved in whether to host that speaker. A discussion. On whether to host a racist.”* 50:50 have not yet responded to Sakura-Rose’s resignation.

Her accusations against 50:50 Parliament come after a handful of UK political parties, including Labour and the SNP, have been accused of failing to address internal transphobia. **Dr Heather Peto**, a trans woman who was the co-chair of **LGBT+ Labour**, [recently quit ](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/labour-co-chair-resigns-over-transphobia-controversy/)amid allegations that transphobia is becoming increasingly common in the political party. As a result, the party recently launched **Labour Trans Equality** – a campaign with the goal to improve trans and gender diverse representation in Labour.

![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/trans-flag-pride-1.jpg)