Munroe Bergdorf has “never been more hopeful” following the announcement of Jeremy Corbyn and Zara Sultana’s independent party, but calls on Labour MPs to do better for the trans community
Model and trans activist Munroe Bergdoft expressed her disappointment at the Labour party’s treatment of trans people in the UK.
At the London Trans+ Pride launch event, she told a panel of activists that the Labour party have “shown who they are and have cemented who they are in history.” She later added that she has “a lot to shout at this government, but reasoning with them is fruitless.”
In preparation for London Trans+ Pride, set to take place on July 26, Bergdorf joined a panel consisting of London Trans+ Pride founding member Lewis G Burton, BAFTA-winning writer and activist Sukey Venables-Fisher and Trans Kids Deserve Better members, Merlin and Cliff. Instilling hope into trans people nationwide, she said: “Just like other civil rights movements before us, things will come to fruition for our movement and for our lives.”
READ MORE: Trans support is on the rise as rights left at risk after UK Supreme Court ruling
Bergdorf stated she has “never felt so hopeful” after seeing the announcement of Jeremy Corbyn and Zara Sultana’s independent party. Earlier this month, Sultana quit Labour and voiced her frustration with the party, saying “Labour has completely failed to improve people’s lives.”
The 31-year-old wrote in a statement posted to X: “Today, after 14 years, I’m resigning from the Labour Party. Jeremy Corbyn and I will co-lead the founding of a new party, with other Independent MPs, campaigners and activists across the country.”
Bergdorf admitted that she had considered leaving the UK, but now wants to “stay and fight and see growth and support [Corbyn and Sultana’s party].” Corbyn confirmed that “real change is coming” and praised Sultana for helping to build “a real alternative.”
Whilst the new independent party establishes itself, Bergdorf urged the current Labour government to take action for the transgender community. “To everything single MP in the Labour party on the left; it’s time for backbone, it’s time to actually do something instead of just talking. Join us, come to trans pride. It’s time to show urgency.”
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Bergdorf and the panellists acknowledged that it’s been a tough year for trans people, following the UK Supreme Court ruling. In April 2024, the court ruled in favour of so-called ‘gender critical’ volunteer organisation For Women Scotland in their appeal against the Scottish Government’s usage of the term ‘woman’.
Lord Hodge, Lady Rose and Lady Simler gave a joint judgment, with which the other Justices agreed, passing down an unanimous verdict that the term ‘woman’ used in the Equality Act 2010 refers to biological sex.
Trans charity Gendered Intelligence told the Mirror at the time that they were disappointed at the ruling, and said the judgement is “likely to empower those who want to exclude trans people, but we trust that this remains a small minority.”
At the London Trans+ Pride panel, Bergdorf called for meaningful trans allyship, stating that “directing traffic, money, support and awareness to services that support us is paramount… If people are going to be allies they need to make it worth it.”
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