Q & A

Statement on the UK Supreme Court Decision – For Women Scotland v Scottish Ministers and the Interim Guidance from the Equality and Human Rights Commission

As a charity dedicated to supporting the LGBTQIA+ community, we have long stood by our trans and gender-diverse siblings – individuals who continue to face heightened scrutiny, misinformation, and exclusion.

The recent ruling by the UK Supreme Court, and the subsequent interim guidance from the Equality and Human Rights Commission, has created serious concern within our community. The decision – focusing on the legal definition of “woman” in equality legislation – has profound implications for trans rights, and particularly for the recognition of trans women under the law.

While the court was careful to say this was “not a win for either side”, its interpretation significantly narrows legal protections for trans individuals. What we are left with is a legal framework that, however well-intentioned, fails to reflect the lived realities of trans and gender-diverse people across the UK. It also opens the door for misunderstanding and misapplication, which risks harm not only to trans people, but to anyone whose identity or appearance does not conform to rigid societal expectations of gender.

Already, we are hearing reports of increased hostility – not only toward trans people, but also towards lesbian and cisgender women who are being wrongly targeted. This creates an environment of fear and exclusion, undermining the very idea of what equality the law is supposed to uphold. Intersex individuals too, remain largely invisible in this conversation, further marginalised by decisions that don’t reflect the complexity of human diversity.

We believe in a United Kingdom that is compassionate, fair, and inclusive. We reject any attempt to divide or diminish our community. Trans rights are human rights – and recognising someone’s gender identity is a matter of dignity, respect, and empathy. This isn’t about reductive biology, it never has been. It is about respect and value as human beings, something we feel is being eroded by judgements like this, and the arguments used to validate inaccurate and uninformed claims by a minority of people. We can and must do better, not only for trans and gender diverse rights, but the humanity we British are known for.

Now is the time to act. We urge everyone who values equality to:

Write to your MP to express concern and ask for action to protect trans rights.
Support petitions that call for change in the law to ensure no one is left behind.
Donate to charities and grassroots groups working tirelessly to support trans people.
Speak up with kindness and courage – especially when others are silenced.

We honour those who paved the way before us, and we will not allow hard-won progress to be reversed. Together, step by step, we can build a future where everyone is safe, respected, and free to live as themselves.

Is Pride still a protest?

Pride means different things to different people. For some, Pride is a party – a celebration and a chance for LGBTQIA+ people to be our true authentic selves. For others, Pride has always been a protest and always will be.

The Organising Team and Trustees of Norwich Pride feel strongly that the need for protest is as strong today as it ever was. If we didn’t have a Norwich Pride, we would need to create one right now. The current backslide and attack on our rights and equalities, especially for our trans and non-binary siblings, and the attack on our very right to protest gives us no choice.

In summary, pride is whatever you make it but we have a march rather than a parade and we feel it is our duty to educate pride-goers as to why the event is more important than ever.

Will political parties be at Norwich Pride?

Norwich Pride stands firmly alongside our Trans siblings who have faced constant attack over the past few years.

Although many within the LGBTQIA+ community would have supported the departure of the previous Conservative government which used the community as a political football in a culture war, we have not had any reassurance that we are safe with the new Labour administration going forward.

In particular we are gravely disappointed with the approach of Wes Streeting (secretary of state for Health and social care) who has said that he regrets saying that “trans women were women” and has continued the ban on puberty blockers. We are also devastated by the response by Kier Starmer and other leading Labour Party MPs to the recent Supreme Court ruling on sex (see our statement under News).

Because of this we feel that although local party members will be very welcome to attend and support our event as individuals, the Norwich Labour Party banner is not welcome on our Norwich Pride March. This would cause harm to members of the community.

This has been a difficult decision and we acknowledge that the overwhelming majority of local members are active allies and will be disappointed with the decision. We also want to publicly thank Clive Lewis (MP for Norwich South) for his solid support for the whole LGBTQIA+ community.

We accept that there can be a fine line between holding allies to account and working with people to form a strong alliances against those actively aiming to cause harm. We review any applications from political parties who want to be present in a formal capacity at Norwich Pride, and ensure they can 100% sign up to our Pride Pledge. We engage them on questions of their policies, with a particular focus on trans rights.

Trustees are maintaining a dialogue with the Labour Party on the issue throughout the year, whilst continuing to consult our own community on their views.

Has Norwich Pride signed the Fossil-Free Pride Pledge?

YES! – We are proud to be a signatory to this important pledge, and will uphold it’s core requirements. Go to our Ethical Sponsorship page for further details.

Social Media Position

Norwich Pride is determined to remain a reliable, consistent online presence for our community. We are here too for those seeking community, for those open to learning and, by existing, to oppose those with hatred in their hearts.

The world is seeing a dangerous slide back into extreme and cruel politics, affecting many people’s lives. These are frightening and intimidating times for so many. Our mission is to remain a beacon of information, representation, solidarity, hope and protest.

Every year we march and protest in person in our fine city. Existence is revolution, and we are here, have always been here, and will always be here, our place at the table is integral and inalienable.

Norwich Pride is Standing Strong and we support all to do the same. Loudly, or quietly, our personal resources are very different, comprised of physical as well as mental health. We encourage everyone to look after yourselves, your wellbeing and your safety.

Doing what you can may be a lot and visible, or it may be a calm and composed discussion that seeks to help someone move to a more humane perspective. It could also mean choosing not to engage and, instead, to create distance, prioritising self-care and nurturing yourself.

Norwich Pride uses our social media platforms to amplify the good, to cast light in dark times and to turn negatives into positives – call us what you may, we will not go away. By being highly visible and resilient, Norwich Pride is here for everyone.

And that is why we will be remaining on our current platforms (Facebook and Instagram) for as long as we can. ‘Do not obey in advance‘ is a powerful mantra used to combat the worst excesses of extremism. We will not self-censor, nor erase ourselves. Our community need to know where to find us.

The beautifully wise Maya Angelou said, “When we know better, we do better.” While we cannot change those intent on harm, we believe they are a small, vocal (and sadly, powerful) minority and that the average person is good at their core. But mis-information is rife and a powerful tool. Clear, positive and non-combative educational presences are more essential than ever.

We stand with you, in solidarity.

Norwich Pride, March 2025

Statement on the UK Supreme Court Decision – For Women Scotland v Scottish Ministers and the Interim Guidance from the Equality and Human Rights Commission

As a charity dedicated to supporting the LGBTQIA+ community, we have long stood by our trans and gender-diverse siblings – individuals who continue to face heightened scrutiny, misinformation, and exclusion.

Now is the time to act. We urge everyone who values equality to:

We honour those who paved the way before us, and we will not allow hard-won progress to be reversed. Together, step by step, we can build a future where everyone is safe, respected, and free to live as themselves.

Is Pride still a protest?

Pride means different things to different people. For some, Pride is a party – a celebration and a chance for LGBTQIA+ people to be our true authentic selves. For others, Pride has always been a protest and always will be.

In summary, pride is whatever you make it but we have a march rather than a parade and we feel it is our duty to educate pride-goers as to why the event is more important than ever.

Will political parties be at Norwich Pride?

Norwich Pride stands firmly alongside our Trans siblings who have faced constant attack over the past few years.

Although many within the LGBTQIA+ community would have supported the departure of the previous Conservative government which used the community as a political football in a culture war, we have not had any reassurance that we are safe with the new Labour administration going forward.

Because of this we feel that although local party members will be very welcome to attend and support our event as individuals, the Norwich Labour Party banner is not welcome on our Norwich Pride March. This would cause harm to members of the community.

This has been a difficult decision and we acknowledge that the overwhelming majority of local members are active allies and will be disappointed with the decision. We also want to publicly thank Clive Lewis (MP for Norwich South) for his solid support for the whole LGBTQIA+ community.

Trustees are maintaining a dialogue with the Labour Party on the issue throughout the year, whilst continuing to consult our own community on their views.

Has Norwich Pride signed the Fossil-Free Pride Pledge?

YES! – We are proud to be a signatory to this important pledge, and will uphold it’s core requirements. Go to our Ethical Sponsorship page for further details.

Social Media Position

Norwich Pride is determined to remain a reliable, consistent online presence for our community. We are here too for those seeking community, for those open to learning and, by existing, to oppose those with hatred in their hearts.

The world is seeing a dangerous slide back into extreme and cruel politics, affecting many people’s lives. These are frightening and intimidating times for so many. Our mission is to remain a beacon of information, representation, solidarity, hope and protest.

Every year we march and protest in person in our fine city. Existence is revolution, and we are here, have always been here, and will *always* be here, our place at the table is integral and inalienable.

Norwich Pride is Standing Strong and we support all to do the same. Loudly, or quietly, our personal resources are very different, comprised of physical as well as mental health. We encourage everyone to look after yourselves, your wellbeing and your safety.

Doing what you can may be a lot and visible, or it may be a calm and composed discussion that seeks to help someone move to a more humane perspective. It could also mean choosing not to engage and, instead, to create distance, prioritising self-care and nurturing yourself.

Norwich Pride uses our social media platforms to amplify the good, to cast light in dark times and to turn negatives into positives – call us what you may, we will not go away. By being highly visible and resilient, Norwich Pride is here for everyone.

And that is why we will be remaining on our current platforms (Facebook and Instagram) for as long as we can. ‘Do not obey in advance‘ is a powerful mantra used to combat the worst excesses of extremism. We will not self-censor, nor erase ourselves. Our community need to know where to find us.

We stand with you, in solidarity.

Norwich Pride, March 2025

Every year we march and protest in person in our fine city. Existence is revolution, and we are here, have always been here, and will always be here, our place at the table is integral and inalienable.