Happy International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia. The occasion has probably passed most people by – but the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan was quick to wave the rainbow flag this morning. Khan said it was ‘unacceptable’ that the UK has fallen to 17th place in a European league table of LBTQ+ rights. ‘LGBTQ+ people’s fundamental rights are under attack around the world,’ he warned. Khan continued:
‘If we’re not vigilant, the progress that has been made in the past century can be reversed. I urge the Government to take the concerns of the LGBTQ+ community seriously. My message to the LGBTQ+ community in London and around the world is clear: I stand with you – today and every day.’
Khan’s language was emotive, but as a trans person I find his depiction of LGBT rights – at least as far as the UK is concerned – hard to recognise. Yes, there are places around the world where gay and lesbian people face appalling oppression.
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