Over 300 people marched through Falmouth today as part of the town’s second annual Trans Pride event. Protestors gathered at Prince of Wales Pier at midday, marched through the town centre, and then gathered at Discovery Quay to hear a series of speeches from community members.

Organisers state that Trans Pride Falmouth “provides a voice for Cornwall’s transgender and non-binary community against transphobia, against policies which enact a hostile environment for transgender and non-binary people in this country and worldwide, and against the well-funded campaign of demonisation of our community.”

This comes days after the UK’s equality watchdog, the Equalities and Human Rights Commission (EHCR), released a draft Code of Practice relating to the Supreme Court’s ruling on the definition of sex. The guidance states that single-sex facilities should be used on the basis of ‘biological sex’, and that venues should provide separate mixed-sex spaces for trans people.

The guidance also details that it would not be unlawful discrimination to exclude a trans person from a service if their presence would cause ‘discomfort or distress for other service users’.

The draft Code of Practice is currently under review, and MPs have until the end of June to raise any concerns. If there are no objections, the Equalities minister Bridget Phillipson will issue a final order and the Code of Practice will come into force.

Trans Pride Falmouth organisers have called on venues in Falmouth to make clear their position on the Code of Practice.

Organisers also stated:

“Transphobia is alive and well on our doorsteps, while transgender and non-binary people fight every day simply for access to basic healthcare needs, legal protections, and respect in public life. We are not a threat to anyone – we just want to live.

“Trans rights are, always have been, and always will be, human rights. Trans women are women. Trans men are men. Non-binary people are non-binary.”

Images via: Cobblestone Media