Pride 2025: We Hear You
We are sad the Folkestone Pride organisers have felt they had to exclude political parties from this year’s event. However, we fully understand why this decision has been taken.
We’ve reflected on it locally. We want to publicly commit to doing more.
Pride is a protest as much as a celebration. And for many in the LGBTQIA+ community, especially our trans friends, neighbours and family, this year feels particularly raw. Following the recent UK Supreme Court ruling that narrows the legal definition of “woman” to exclude trans women with Gender Recognition Certificates, many feel abandoned by political leaders and institutions that failed to stand up for trans rights when it mattered most.
We want to be clear. The Liberal Democrats in Folkestone and Hythe stand unequivocally with our trans and non-binary community.
We support:
• The right to self-identify
• Legal recognition of non-binary people
• A reformed Gender Recognition Act
• Equal access to healthcare, including timely gender-affirming treatment
• Stronger protection from hate crime and discrimination
And we know that words are not enough.
As local campaigners, we will not be passive on these issues. We will speak out. We will listen. We will campaign for real change. And we will hold our own party to the high standards we set for others – because trans rights are human rights.
We’re proud that many trans and non-binary members are already part of the Liberal Democrat family. If you’re a trans activist who shares our liberal values, we would warmly welcome you into our movement. There is space for you here – not just as a supporter, but as a changemaker.
We're pleased that the 72 Lib Dem MPs in Parliament are also there for our trans community. We are pleased to see they have signed a Motion in Parliament acknowledging they too need to do more, alongside MPs from every other Party.
That this House regrets the decision taken by organisers of several Pride marches and parades across the UK to not allow political parties to march; further regrets that that decision partly stems from a lack of trust in politicians and Government amongst many in the LGBTQ+ community; notes that many trans people are concerned by the rise in hate-crime against transgender and non-binary people, and worried about the practical implications of the recent ruling in the Supreme Court case For Women Scotland vs The Scottish Minister on their lives; reaffirms its commitment to standing up for the rights and dignity of all in the LGBTQ+ community, including trans and non-binary people; calls on Rt hon. and hon. Members in the House, and their political parties, to reaffirm their commitment to protecting and advancing the rights of trans and non-binary people across the UK; and hopes political parties which support the rights of LGBTQ+ people and the aims of Pride will be able to re-join these parades officially in future.
https://edm.parliament.uk/early-day-motion/63647
We will push them to stand by their word on this. We also ask our local MP Tony Vaughan to sign this and similar motions, and make the same commitment too. If not now Tony, when?
We may not be marching behind a banner at Pride this year, but that doesn’t mean we’re not present. We are standing with you – not just at Pride, but every day.
If you’re part of the LGBTQIA+ community in Folkestone & Hythe and want to help shape our work, please get in touch. We’re listening. We’re with you. And we’re proud to stand beside you.