On the 14th of January this year, the Women and Equalities Select Committee released its report from the Transgender Equality Inquiry. The report was a result of several weeks of oral evidence and discussions, and over 200 pieces of written evidence. On the 7th of July, just a single week from 6 months after, the Government released it’s formal response.
Transgender people across the country were not, and are not, impressed.
The Scottish Transgender Alliance said; “overall we think that the response is very disappointing.” Stonewall accepted some points but were unhappy with others. Non-binary rights group, Beyond The Binary stated that there was “Little progress for non-binary people.”
In the political world there was quite a bit of criticism aimed at the Government;
We’ve read the government’s response to the #transinquiry. We’re not impressed that after this long, all they can promise are more reviews.
— LGBT+ Lib Dems (@LGBTLD) 7 July 2016
“Government’s response to #transinquiry is shameful – #trans community deserves better” @GPEWAimee in @HuffPostUKPol https://t.co/ZJeqcSbbaM
— LGBTIQ Greens (@LGBTIQGreens) 11 July 2016
Even the Chair of the Women and Equalities Select Committee, Tory MP Maria Miller, said that the Committee shared the disappointment that the trans community feels.
Everyday trans activists weren’t happy either;
My initial impression of the government response to #transinquiry is that they’re kicking as much into the long grass as they feel they can.
— Elainovision Union (@scattermoon) 7 July 2016
Disappointing that the media is saying +ve things about the #transinquiry, whilst it’s being almost universally panned by actual trans folk
— Zoe O’Connell (@zoeimogen) 7 July 2016
Let’s be honest: government’s in meltdown right now. Response to #TransInquiry is just a souped up “your call is important to us…”*muzak*
— CN Lester (@cnlester) 7 July 2016
@NickyMorgan01 How is this a package of support, all i see are words that say absolutely nothing, we need action not reviews! #transinquiry
— Olivia (@livitherpia) 8 July 2016
So, the actual response from the govt to #transinquiry is, sadly very disappointing, largely saying “look at what we already do”
— TransPrideNorth (@TransPrideNorth) 8 July 2016
It’s very clear that the Government’s response has let many people down, and will not be accepted by the trans community.
