By Connie Fran
Under a Labour Government the disparity between the Royal Family and the marginalised feels more pronounced than ever.
“Democracy; freedom and equality; rule of law; rules to create safe lives for all; individual liberty; protection of your rights; mutual respect of others; understanding differences without imposing your own.” At a glance, traditional British values are surprisingly aligned with that of trans ideologies. The organisation TGEU (Transgender Europe) states that across the continent they fight for trans people to: “live free from fear and in safety… honour and advance our rights… for the right of self-identification.”
Since the mid 2010’s there has been an increasing frequency of rhetoric around “traditional British values”. Its use can be observed in multiple realms from politics to education. It is a lame post-Brexit campaign which tries to inspire a sense of patriotism in what is an inherently problematic nation where it is impossible to feel any sincere sense of national pride without contributing to continually oppressing billions around the globe. The phrase is an echo of Trump’s “Make America Great Again.” I remind you that ‘great’ Britain is merely an adjective before the name of an island.
From a trans lens, “traditional British values” suggests a reinforcement of cis-heteronormative standards which have oppressed us our whole lives as citizens. The figureheads and the constant visual reminder of what is ‘proper’ or ‘respectable’ are that of the royal family. The cis, the straight, the white, the Anglo. Family photographs of royalty in manicured ensembles lounging in lavish palaces are displayed on the front covers of publications which are unavoidable on shelves of cost-rising supermarkets and increasingly elusive doctors’ waiting rooms. The irony is that to the backdrop of widespread food poverty, inaccessible healthcare systems and not to mention global genocides – the trans community come out as the villain in all of this.
I resent the idea that the royal family are ‘quiet allies of the LGBTQ+ community.’ A quiet ally is only slightly less detrimental than outspoken opposition. Therein bystanders are just as bad as the bully. When Alan Turing was castrated, it took until 2013 for the queen to pardon him. When Section 28 came across the royal desk, it was signed. When Diana participated in HIV/AIDS activism, the rest of the family watched. Many royals have never publicly commented on LGBTQ+ rights, yet the assurances of the queer elite such as Elton John who ‘vouch’ on private conversations, are supposed to find comfort? When Charles has a black trans lesbian ‘vouching’ for him, I may consider.
No, ‘quiet ally’ is not someone I admire. I am personally horrified whenever I remember that Kate had a poster of Will on the wall of her bedroom as a young woman. There is no greater emblematic example of how to some they are to be totally adored – for what exactly?
“They are good people!” Good people do not hoard gross amounts of wealth.
“They boost the tourism economy!” Buildings and landscape boost the tourist economy.
“They represent ‘our’ culture!” But they do not, our communities and cultures are diverse, multi-cultural and inclusive.
And yet, the trans community are portrayed continually as unreasonable for fighting for access to public health funded gender affirming care. Critics state this is elective, cosmetic and regretted. However, this shows an outrageous lack of empathy against what most people are fortunate not to have to endure. Trans healthcare is comparatively fractional cost-wise to that of many healthcare services. Including lifestyle disease related care and natal past two children. Yet there is not the uproar and violence posed against those whose reliance is entirely more decision based than that of those of trans identities. You are born trans, you are born non-binary, you are born intersex. What is mass misunderstood as elective are actually procedures which prevent suicide, decrease likelihood of being a victim of random violence, and massively raise productivity to the individuals who otherwise would not be able to work.
Again, the irony is not lost, that although the trans community are relentlessly accused of unfounded heinous abuses of women and children, it continues to be those that the same mobs worship who are the true perpetrators of such atrocities. Did you know? The fact is royalty and politicians are disproportionately perpetrators of sex crimes, whereas minorities are disproportionately victims. If ‘female spaces’ protect women, then must we have female only universities, playgrounds and car parks, where disproportionate numbers of assaults take place – or female only high street pizza restaurant chains?
Dear millions of working-class folk who would prefer it if trans, migrant and other minorities “f*cked off out of here”, the reality is that you have infinitely more in common with us than you do with the elite class of royals and political masters. Do not be fooled by allowing them to oppress you.