SNP MPs are falling over themselves to back trans rights and praise Nicola Sturgeon
SNP MPs have backed Nicola Sturgeon’s forceful condemnation of transphobia in swathes.
On Wednesday (27 January), the Scottish first minister posted a passionate, unscripted speech on social media amid accusations that the SNP has become a “hub of transphobia”.
Sturgeon declared that the party’s anti-trans reputation was “not acceptable” to her and urged members who had left in protest to “come home where you belong”.
“Trans people have as much right as any of us to be safe, secure and valued for who they are,” she insisted. “Transphobia is wrong, and we must treat it with the zero tolerance we treat racism or homophobia.”
Her unambiguous pro-trans message was welcomed by scores of Scottish MPs, including Mhairi Black, Kirsten Oswald, Alison Thewliss, Gavin Newlands, Richard Thomson, Peter Grant, Alyn Smith and Anne McLaughlin, all of whom retweeted the video.
Many more tweeted messages of their own, with the queer MPs Hannah Bardell and John Nicolson among her strongest supporters.
“This is what good leadership looks like,” wrote Bardell, sharing her thanks and respect. “Brilliant message from Nicola,” agreed Nicolson. “We know where she stands: Now we need action.”
This, is what good leadership looks like?
Thank you and huge respect to @NicolaSturgeon. #TransRightsAreHumanRights https://t.co/dXvYFtcoyK
— Hannah Bardell MP ????????️? (@HannahB4LiviMP) January 27, 2021
Young people (in my experience) aren’t drawn to @theSNP & independence because of flags. They are motivated by a vision of an independent Scotland as a beacon of tolerance and social justice. Angry transphobia isn’t a big draw. #LGBTQ #transrightsarehumanrights
— JOHN NICOLSON M.P. (@MrJohnNicolson) January 27, 2021
Dozens of other party members chimed in too, including Angela Crawley, Fiona Hyslop, Ian Blackford, Maree Todd, Pete Wishart, John Nicholson, Shirley-Anne Sommerville, Stewart McDonald and Owen Thompson.
And MP for Aberdeen North Kirsty Blackman sparred with the LGB Alliance when the anti-trans group predictably joined the debate.
PS John Nicolson is gay and you don’t seem to like him much? How is attacking him on social media roughly once a week standing up for gay people?
— Kirsty Blackman (@KirstySNP) January 27, 2021
Just fantastic. What we need to hear. https://t.co/1oUGKMGLVK
— Pete Wishart (@PeteWishart) January 27, 2021
I’m proud of the progress made on LGBT equality under @theSNP government. Scotland is now one of the best countries in the world for LGBT rights ????????️?
But we’ve got further to go. As we continue our journey we must be clear there is absolutely no place for transphobia in Scotland pic.twitter.com/LEP2APuJ90
— Ian Blackford (@Ianblackford_MP) January 27, 2021
If we want Scotland to be an inclusive place where human rights are upheld, where there is no place for transphobia, then everyone needs to have a bit more understanding of each other and what can hurt and how to heal that hurt https://t.co/mSFvB7i9Qa
— Fiona Hyslop (@FionaHyslop) January 27, 2021
She is listening to her female members. She speaks for me. I’m neither young nor fierce. https://t.co/OVzlBMuNEa
— Maree Todd MSP (@MareeToddMSP) January 27, 2021
This is exactly the leadership we needed from @theSNP today & Scotland right now! ??
Transphobia cannot, will not and must not be tolerated.
True equality must be for everyone; with no one left behind. ?️?? https://t.co/BCaGeO8Mdb
— Angela Crawley MP (@AngelaCrawley30) January 27, 2021
An important message from @NicolaSturgeon and one which I fully support. There can be no place for transphobia in the SNP. https://t.co/k6eQnoQFYI
— Shirley-Anne Somerville (@S_A_Somerville) January 27, 2021
The moral panic around trans rights is built on disinformation, falsehoods and sand. Like so many colleagues and friends, my support for trans rights won’t waiver. To those who have left, I’m sorry. I promise I’ll work hard with others to re-gain your trust. We can do better.
— Stewart McDonald MP (@StewartMcDonald) January 27, 2021
#TransRightsAreHumanRights https://t.co/1Z1k4S1cok
— Owen Thompson MP ? (@OwenThompson) January 27, 2021