On 10 August, the government’s top legal adviser, Suella Braverman, spoke at a speech given to the Policy Exchange thinktank, claiming that schools could be "indoctrinating children" if they recgonised their trans identities.

However, this ostensibly breaches and contradicts the protections afforded to trans people in the Equality Act

Braverman said that it would be lawful for schools to deadname and misgender trans pupils, and prevent them from accessing toilets, sports teams and dormitories, or wearing uniforms that match their gender.

She also said it is lawful for single-sex schools to reject trans children, and argued that schools teaching students about gender identity are “misinformed”.

Owen Hurcum, a non-binary advocate and ex-mayor of Bangor, Wales, called Braverman's comments “dangerous” and “cartoonishly evil”.

Braverman is “giving the green light” for schools to withdraw support for trans pupils.

We need to remember trans children (and trans people in general) are not a threat to education or culture.

Braverman’s comments are not legally binding, and trans students remain protected by equality law.

However, her comments have wider and far-reaching implications.

It legitimises transphobia, and Braverman’s messages will be repeated widely in the British press and inevitably be used to further fuel anti-trans hostility.

Her comments will make also schools more unsafe for trans kids.

Stonewall's research showed that 64% of trans pupils have been bullied for being LGBT+ in Britain's schools.

Comments like these not only legitimises transphobia, but also actively reduces support for the trans kids who needs it.

Her words cannot legally change the 2010 Equality Act. Discrimination lawyer Robin Moira White called the attorney general’s words “a master class in how to misinterpret Equality Law”. But efforts to repeal it may become stronger and more viable.

Conservatives have also been campaigning for months to remove the 2010 Equality Act, with Rishi Sunak promising to 'review' it if he becomes Prime Minister.

The community needs to come together to fight these rising waves of transphobia.

We can continue to campaign against the removal of the 2010 Equality Act, and organise to strengthen it.

We can campaign to deplatform figures like Braverman, and politicians who aim to spread fear and queerphobia.

Protect Trans Kids.

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