Keir Starmer became the newest prime minister of the U.K. after a recent general election that brought the social democratic Labour party into prominence. But where does Starmer stand on LGBTQ+ rights?
The U.K. has received a lot of flack recently for being one of the worst places for LGBTQ+, particularly trans people, to live. After the election, the Labour party officially holds 411 of 650 seats in the House of Commons. This means Starmer and the Labour party are taking their place as the majority in the U.K. for the first time in 14 years, but what does this mean for the LGBTQ+ community in England? According to Them, Starmer’s recent statements about transgender issues have raised some eyebrows about what LGBTQ+ policy might look like during his term.
In Starmer’s Labour party manifesto, he takes pro-LGBTQ+ positions like passing conversion therapy bans and making reforms to the Gender Recognition Certificate process. However, his tone shifted ahead of the election when questioned further about trans issues. When asked whether or not he would reverse a Conservative ruling that “gender ideology” not be taught in schools, Starmer said he would not.
He also responded to a question from anti-trans author J.K. Rowling on whether he believed trans women with gender recognition certificates should have the right to use women’s bathrooms, locker rooms, and other gender-separated facilities…to which he responded “No. They don’t have that right. They shouldn’t.”
In 2023, a Trans Rights Map published by Transgender Europe (TGEU) analyzed policies impacting trans people in 49 countries across Europe and Central Asia and found that the U.K. was one of the worst places in the world to live for trans people. The study rates countries based on 32 indicators of equality, safety, and quality of life. For 2024, the U.K. meet just over 15 indicators, less than half of those required for a high rating.
LGBTQ+ people, advocacy groups, travelers, and allies around the world are watching to see if Starmer’s term as PM will further threaten the hope that the U.K. will soon become a safe space for trans people.
