Pride in Labour is aware of incidents of transphobia by a Labour councillor in Southend Council. The councillor in question has made deeply transphobic remarks towards the Scottish political activist, Sophie Molly on Twitter/X, and made comments more widely about the trans movement. It is clear there is an issue with transphobia within the party.
The councillor has been posting transphobic remarks, including referring to trans women as “blokes”, engaging with people known to push hateful ideology against trans people, and reposting content from the LGB Alliance. We are extremely concerned that this councillor is also the Cabinet Member for Children and Learning on Southend Council and is also a teacher.
We recognise that people are entitled to their views on any matter, but when those personal views turn toxic and become harmful to another person who is protected under the Equality Act, disciplinary action must be taken. Pride in Labour will be writing to Southend Council to lodge a formal complaint and will also lodge a complaint with the Labour Party itself. There is no room in the Labour movement for transphobia, and it is important the party acts immediately.
Why is the person not named? If there is a complaint, isn’t it worth identifying them?