Thousands of transgender rights supporters have taken to the streets of Edinburgh following a recent UK Supreme Court ruling over the legal definition of 'woman'.
Demonstrators held flags and placards and chanted slogans in the spring sunshine as they gathered at the foot of the Mound in the centre of the Scottish capital before heading to the UK government's headquarters at Queen Elizabeth House.
Speakers used megaphones to encourage the crowd to chant phrases such as “Trans rights are human rights” and “What do we do when trans rights are attacked? We fight back.”
At the same time, the protesters waved posters with slogans such as “Transwomen are women,” “Autonomy for every body,” and “One is not born a woman, one becomes one.”
The rally and march were organised by the group Resisting Transphobia and took place alongside similar events in other parts of the country on Saturday.
Lauren Yeoman, 38, said she attended the demonstration because she found it “unbearable” to hear how transgender people were being denied their human rights.
Describing her emotions when she learned of the Supreme Court's decision, she said: “I felt sick, to be honest. I think we are taking a lot of steps backwards.
“Every day feels like an attack on women and minorities while the real issues are ignored and we point the finger at people who are not harming anyone, like transgender people, instead of discussing the real issues.”
She added: “Look at the real issues. They're not transgender people. Show me the data that shows transgender people are a threat, because I don't think there are any.”
Caitlin Collins, 44, said she was taking part in the march to provide “moral and emotional support” to other transgender people.
She commented on the court's decision: “It's shocking that they are picking on us and it shouldn't be like that.
“I was humiliated, but it didn't break me because I'm proud of who I am.”
She called on the authorities: “Let people be who they want to be. Life is too short.”
Tyrion Dixon, 68, attended the march with a sign that read “Grandmas for Transgender People” which she said her fiancées had made for her.
Sourse: breakingnews.ie
