Here at the Equality Network we believe in campaigning for the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people and communities. Although all these groups may have specific equality needs, we believe these are best addressed as part of an integrated LGBT equality agenda. We therefore believe strongly that transgender issues are an integral, rather than an additional, part of our work and that we should strive for inclusivity and diversity in all our activities.

Although the causes of LGBT discrimination are varied and complex, historically lesbians, gay men, bisexual and trans people have all faced oppression because our existence challenges rigid and repressive notions of appropriate gender behaviour. Frequently, the prejudice against and stereotyping of trans people has been virtually indistinguishable from that directed against lesbians, gay men and bisexuals and has been supported by similar narratives of morality, naturalness and normalcy. Trans people, like lesbian, gay and bisexual people, also go through a process of self identification, self acceptance and “coming out” which can make our experience of discrimination distinctive from other oppressed groups. To ignore these strong parallels in our experiences would deprive all our communities the opportunities for shared activism, learning and support.

That is not to say that we believe that transphobia should only be challenged through LGBT activism. We recognise that transphobia is a form of gender discrimination which should be addressed by gender equality organisations. We also support the development of trans-specific activism and dedicated organisations. It is not, however, unusual for specific forms of discrimination to be understood from a multiplicity of perspectives and addressed by parallel approaches. Anti-Semitism, for example, is both a form of racism and of religious discrimination. Similarly, LGBT activism has not stopped many lesbians addressing their discrimination though the women’s movement or through lesbian only organisations. We believe that parallel and complementary approaches can be mutually supportive and enriching; therefore dedicated trans activism, as well as challenging transphobia as a gender inequality, are enhanced and strengthened by LGBT activism.

We believe a strong and united LGBT approach benefits all the communities we represent. On a number of issues in Scotland, such as health inclusion, hate crime, the needs of older LGBT people etc, we believe that the adoption of an LGBT approach has led to richer and more effective work. The Scottish Executive and Parliament have endorsed and adopted the LGBT approach, as well as many organisations across Scotland, and we strongly welcome this.