As you may be aware, the Equality Network and the Scottish Trans Alliance are organising a rally for trans rights outside the Scottish Parliament on June 12th from 12:15-13:15pm.
It’s important to be aware that this is not an LGBT Youth Scotland event. So, if you would like to go, you would be going as an independent individual who would be responsible for your safety. However, if something were to happen on the day and you needed help from a youth worker, there will be a sessional member of staff there wearing an LGBT Youth Scotland t-shirt for you to talk to.
The main purpose of the rally is to show support for trans people’s rights and to have a platform to positively and progressively represent trans people. The rally should show MSPs that trans equality is a vital piece in making Scotland the best place in the world for young LGBTI people.
It is quite likely that there will be a counter-protest held at the same time. It is important the everyone has a right to protest, even although we may not agree with their views. Staff from LGBT Youth Scotland, the Scottish Trans Alliance and Stonewall Scotland as well as the Police will be there to try to ensure anyone attending our rally will be as safe as possible, and any counter protest would be in a designated space away from the trans rights rally.
If you want to go along, here are some things you may want to think about:
Remember this is intended to be a peaceful rally, so don’t feel the need to rise to negativity or engage, if the atmosphere turns or if others are intimidating you.
The best way to engage with the rally, is to emphasise the importance of trans rights for you as young people and the positive impact progressing legislation would have. You might want to think about creative ways to express this, like making a banner to hold up.