1 day Ago By Alastair James
Transgender couple Hannah and Jake Graf have appeared on ITV’s Lorraine to discuss the recent Supreme Court ruling that excluded trans women from the definition of women.Earlier this month the UK Supreme Court ruled that the legal definition of a woman in the 2010 Equality Act refers to “biological” women only.It has since led to the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) publishing non-statutory guidance about how single-sex spaces should be accessed.
The EHRC said it aimed to “provide further clarity” with the updated guidance, which has been described as “rushed” and “ill-thought through.” Speaking to host Lorraine Kelly on Monday (28 April) Hannah Graf said the ruling had immediately had “a very real impact” on her and Jake.She expressed worries about leaving the house, something Jake echoed later, fearing the ruling would validate those who wish ill on the trans community.
@itvnews ‘As a trans person in society, this gives so much validity to people who want to hate trans people’. #itvnews #lgbt ♬ original sound – itvnews She gave the hypothetical scenario of taking her two daughters for swimming lessons and being stopped from going into the changing room with them.“How are we supposed to operate?” she asked.
“How are we supposed to feel? It just feels like a complete discriminatory step, these guidelines.”Picking up from there, Jake said: “It feels like two weeks ago we were allowed to use the loo. We were allowed to live our lives.
We never had full equality but we were living our lives. And there was always the niggle of transphobia.”He went on to say that the EHRC has taken the ruling to “the most extreme possible lengths” and hoped they wouldn’t become law.
“These guidelines now say that I am not allowed to use the men’s toilet or facility because, obviously, I’m not a biological man,” he continued. “But these guidelines also say that I’m not allowed to use the women’s toilets either. So, I’m now, as a tax paying, law abiding citizen of the UK, being told I’m not allowed one of my most basic human rights.
” Jake described the situation as “honestly heartbreaking.”He also highlighted how in every struggle, be it for the trans community, the civil rights movement, and gay rights, “it’s always brought down to bathrooms.” Jake added, “It’s a really weird place that we keep going back to.
” He also shared his concerns about Hannah, as a trans woman, leaving the house following the ruling, as well as offering an insight into the conversations they have at home.“What we just ask ourselves as we sit on the sofa every night is why do people hate us so much? What have we done that makes the world, that makes society, that makes the government hate us so much?”Lorraine Kelly, a long-time trans ally, quoted a UK government statement on the issue as saying that “there will be zero tolerance for hate crimes of any kind.” It also said: “This government is committed to strengthening protections against hate crime.
”If you’re affected by anything in this story, and need support, there are dedicated services available. You can speak to someone at Switchboard, the LGBT+ Helpline, as well as the trans+-specific service, Mermaids.You can call Switchboard on 0800 0119100 or email hello@switchboard.
lgbt. They also have a chat service online. Mermaids is available on 0808 801 0400 or you can text MERMAIDS to 85258 for 24/7 crisis support.
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