'You are welcome here.' Council leader Bella Sankey shares message to trans, non-binary and intersex communities ahead of Trans Pride Brighton

Words by Councillor Bella Sankey, Leader of Brighton & Hove City Council

Tomorrow Brighton & Hove will once again host the largest Trans Pride protest in Europe and as Leader of Brighton & Hove City Council I couldn’t be prouder of this.

Trans Pride remains an incredibly important event and one which we should all support. 

At a time when trans rights continue to be attacked and undermined, to see our Trans Pride grow stronger sends a defiant and important message. 

Our city has long been a beacon, where everybody has been able to find a safe place, a home, a community.  

This will not change.  

However hard people try in their attempts to divide us, to deflect anger onto specific communities, or to create fear and hatred where there should be love and kindness, they will not succeed. Not here. 

That Brighton & Hove is and always will be a place where everyone can be themselves, find their place and enjoy their best lives is not just something I believe in. It is central to our collective identity, our shared values and our commitment to each other.  

"At a time when trans rights continue to be attacked and undermined, to see our Trans Pride grow stronger sends a defiant and important message." 

And it is a commitment Brighton & Hove City Council shares. 

As an employer and as a service provider, our council remains an unequivocally trans-inclusive organisation.   

These aren’t just words; it is a long-term and sustained commitment evidenced by continuing meaningful action and representation.  

We regularly meet – and crucially – listen to our TNBI communities. We understand the diversity of TNBI communities throughout the city and that everyone has different lived experiences.  

One size does not fit all and as an organisation committed to learning and reflecting the experiences and needs of our communities, we will always be grateful for the insight, guidance and, at times, the patience of our TNBI communities as we work to ensure nobody risks being excluded or negatively impacted by policy decisions.  

We will always take an evidence and insight-led approach.  

As a council we delivered the world's first community-led Trans Needs Assessment to better understand and respond to community priorities, ensuring that trans voices shape the policies that affect their lives.  

We continue to work from our updated trans inclusion toolkit for education settings to promote inclusive practice and support young people, recognising the vital importance of creating affirming environments where all students can thrive.   

And we are staunch in our support of intersectional inclusion across the services we deliver, while also providing funding, where available, to some of the many fantastic third sector and community organisations doing such crucial work in the city. 

While recognising its vital role as a protest event – and a non-political space – we also facilitate and support Trans Pride.  

"If you are trans, non-binary, intersex, or gender diverse, you are welcome here."

We understand how important this event is to so many and celebrate the vital space it creates for people in our city - a space for people to proudly stand up for their rights and the rights of their loved ones, to be together, support and celebrate one another, and to feel acceptance and joy. 

I would encourage everyone to get involved this weekend, to show their support, and to help make this year's Trans Pride another memorable occasion, because allyship has arguably never been more important. 

I understand that members of our TNBI communities are more likely to experience harassment, hate and abuse. That is not something I, or anyone else, can fix overnight. 

But we can – each and every one of us – let our trans neighbours know they are seen, they are heard, they are loved and they are accepted. That is everyone’s basic, fundamental right as an individual, but one which, sadly, we still do not all experience equally.  

This council – and this city – will continue to provide allyship, advocacy and support as together we continue to push for a world where that is not the case.  

On behalf of Brighton & Hove City Council, I'd like to wish everyone taking part a wonderful, meaningful and safe Trans Pride.  

And to our trans, non-binary and intersex communities I have this message: if you are trans, non-binary, intersex, or gender diverse, you are welcome here. Not tolerated. Not accommodated. Welcomed. Included by right, not by exception.   

We stand with you – today, tomorrow and always.