Thousands of transgender rights protesters have filled the streets of Edinburgh following the UK Supreme Court's recent ruling on the legal definition of 'woman'.
The protesters held flags and placards and chanted slogans in the spring sunshine as they gathered at the foot of a hill in the heart of the Scottish capital before heading towards the UK government's Queen Elizabeth House.
Speakers used megaphones to encourage the crowd to chant slogans such as “Trans rights are human rights” and “What do we do when trans rights are threatened? Fight back.”
At the same time, demonstrators held up signs 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 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 see what she said were transgender people 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 feel like we're taking a lot of steps backwards.
“It seems like every day there is an attack on women and minorities while the real issues are ignored and we shift blame onto people who are not harming anyone, like transgender people, while the real issues are left out of sight.”
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 is 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 continue to pick on us and it shouldn't happen.
“I was disgraced, 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. Let people be who they want to be. Life is too short.”
68-year-old Tyrion Dixon came
Sourse: breakingnews.ie
