Solidarity with the Trans Community

Following the recent Supreme Court ruling that “the legal definition of a woman is based on biological sex”, I want to show my support for people trans, non-binary and gender queer people. As a counsellor with a strong ethical stance in social justice, I’m keen to make it clear that I stand with the trans community (which I’m using as an umbrella term), particularly trans women at this difficult time. Trans people are loved and supported, this week and forever. 

Sometimes counsellors and therapists don’t want to bring “politics” into their work – this is perhaps a fallout of old traditions of therapists needing to be a “blank slate”. Now, perhaps we’ve realised the impossibility of living in a digital age and being a “blank slate” but for me, it’s impossible to separate politics from counselling – it’s all political. Everything’s political. Counselling is part of supporting people with their mental health, which is tied deeply into systems of inequality in the world, so it makes sense for me to view counselling through a social justice, intersectional lens. Plus, our membership bodies are there to make sure we work ethically and don’t discriminate or cause harm to clients.

The very essence of counselling (person-centred particularly) is about helping clients become their authentic selves. There is absolutely no space for transphobia in counselling at all, ever. Unfortunately, I have seen people in online counselling groups this week share their transphobic gender critical views, which deeply saddens me about my profession.

Counsellors and therapists need to ensure we are offering safe spaces where trans and non-binary people can feel accepted and nurtured, but also it’s also important to advocate for trans rights outside of the counselling room. In the same way, I advocate for people in larger bodies and stand against weight stigma and diet culture, as doing this work is an extension of my individual work with clients.

The Supreme Court ruling has left the trans community scared and angry. Some are fearing for their lives, terrified of how much more discrimination and abuse this may bring. Nobody should have to live in fear like this. The hate projected onto the trans community is completely misdirected - most people are aware (or should be) that cis men are the predominant perpetrators of abuse.  I have worked with male perpetrators of abuse so this isn’t to blame men, it’s about highlighting where the issues lie so we can help and create change where it’s needed. The accountability must sit in the right place instead of furthering harm to the trans community. Cis men don’t need to gain access to women’s spaces to cause harm - they do that in their own homes, on the streets and wherever they want to. This ruling potentially puts trans women, who are already more vulnerable to sexual abuse and assault, in a lot more danger if they need to share cis men's spaces.

It’s so saddening to see people with such transphobic harmful views celebrating their “win” when all this does is create more risk for all women. We could be coming together to fight misogynistic groups, and influencers such as Andrew Tate, but instead this is where they put their energy. Cis women can be tall, muscular, hairy, or dress in ways associated with being masculine – how will they be treated in women’s spaces now? This rests on traditional views of femininity and gender expectations, reinforcing appearance and beauty ideals.

I attended one of the protests against the Supreme Court ruling. It gave me hope to see so many people speaking out, showing that the trans community and allies will not back down. Trans people have always been here and will always be. I stand with you.

Sending love, support and solidarity.