Kemi Badenoch has met none of the leading LGBTQ+ organisations in the UK
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Investigative Article: Kemi Badenoch has not met with any of the UK’s leading LGBTQ+ Organizations
Kemi Badenoch, the Minister for Women and Equalities in the UK, has come under fire for claiming to have engaged “extensively” with LGBTQ+ organizations despite not having any meetings with the country’s largest and most influential groups since taking up the position. This revelation has raised questions about Badenoch’s commitment to LGBTQ+ rights and her ability to effectively represent and advocate for the community.
During a session in the House of Commons on December 6, Badenoch announced plans to prevent people who have received a Gender Recognition Certificate (GRC) in countries where self-identification is already allowed from having their gender legally recognized in the UK. She defended her position by stating that while the government has engaged with numerous LGBTQ+ groups, many of them support self-identification, which is not in line with the government’s policy.
However, it remains unclear which LGBTQ+ organizations Badenoch or her office have met with. PinkNews, a prominent LGBTQ+ news outlet, reached out to the equalities office for a comprehensive list of all the LGBTQ+ organizations Badenoch had met, but as of now, no response has been received. Nevertheless, it has been confirmed that Badenoch has not met with any major LGBTQ+ organizations in the UK since assuming her role as Minister for Women and Equalities.
Representatives from Mermaids, Gendered Intelligence, and the Kaleidoscope Trust, three of the most influential LGBTQ+ organizations in the country, have all confirmed that they have not had any meetings with Badenoch. In addition, Stonewall, one of the largest LGBTQ+ charities in the UK, stated that they have not had a meeting with Badenoch since July 2021, three months before she was appointed as minister.
On the other hand, it is known that Badenoch has met with anti-trans campaign groups such as the LGB Alliance and Sex Matters. She has also met with Keira Bell, a prominent detransitioner, and discussed guidance on how schools should deal with transgender students with Sex Matters. This raises concerns about Badenoch’s priorities and the influences behind her decisions.
This lack of engagement with leading LGBTQ+ organizations has sparked outrage within the community. LGBTQ+ groups have criticized Badenoch’s efforts to prevent people from abroad from having their gender recognized in the UK. Mermaids, an organization that works with transgender youth, expressed disappointment and accused Badenoch of targeting the trans community and rolling back hard-won trans rights. They also highlighted that under Badenoch’s watch, the UK has fallen from first to 17th place in the European league of LGBT rights.
Stonewall, another prominent LGBTQ+ charity, criticized Badenoch’s policy as “regrettable” and highlighted how far behind the curve the UK government has fallen on trans people’s rights compared to other leading nations. They pointed out that countries like Canada, Ireland, and New Zealand have taken meaningful action to support their trans populations, while the UK’s actions reflect poorly on the country’s international standing and its commitment to LGBTQ+ rights.
The lack of engagement with leading LGBTQ+ organizations raises serious questions about Badenoch’s ability to represent and advocate for the community effectively. It suggests a disconnect between the government’s policies and the needs and desires of the LGBTQ+ community. As a minister responsible for women and equalities, it is crucial for Badenoch to engage with all stakeholders, especially those representing marginalized communities, to ensure inclusive and fair policies.
In conclusion, Kemi Badenoch’s claim of extensive engagement with LGBTQ+ organizations has been called into question as she has not had any meetings with the UK’s leading LGBTQ+ organizations since taking up her role as Minister for Women and Equalities. This lack of engagement raises concerns about her commitment to LGBTQ+ rights and her ability to effectively represent the community. LGBTQ+ groups have criticized her efforts to prevent people from abroad from having their gender recognized in the UK, and her meetings with anti-trans campaign groups further raise concerns about her priorities. It is crucial for a minister responsible for equalities to engage with all stakeholders and ensure inclusive and fair policies for all.
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“LGBTQ+ advocacy groups in the UK”
