Government Survey seeks Transgender Community Feedback
The coalition government is to publish its first ‘Transgender Action Plan’ later this year and is asking trans people to help shape the document.
Ministers promised in May 2010 that they would produce an action plan specifically for trans people.
The survey asks respondents which policy areas – such as medical care, hate crime and transphobic bullying – should be prioritised and asks about personal experiences.
In a special e-bulletin to the trans community, equality minister Lynne Featherstone said the responses would help formulate "initial government commitments”.
Ms Featherstone wrote:
"We as a country pride ourselves on having successfully consigned the worst examples of discrimination to the past. And for the most part that is true. The days where we would see signs saying ‘no blacks, no dogs, no Irish’ in the windows of pubs and B&Bs have thankfully disappeared.”
"But I believe for transgender people we have not been so successful. For far too long too many of you had to put up with the most despicable forms of hatred and bigotry which blight not only your lives, but undermine the principles upon which this country prides itself.”
"I, along with my colleagues in the coalition government, are absolutely committed to putting a stop to this, ensuring trans people are afforded the same opportunities, freedoms and rights as any other citizen.”
Please find the original article at the following link: -
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2011/04/12/government-seeks-transgender-communitys-feedback/
As an introduction to the survey,
the government writes: -
"On 14 March 2011 we launched "Working for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Equality: Moving Forward", in which we committed to publishing the first ever Government transgender equality action plan. This action plan will outline commitments that the Government will deliver within specific timescales, to improve equality for trans people. But we will not be successful without your involvement.
To make sure we deliver real progress on this agenda, we need to know about the issues you are most concerned about, how you would like us to communicate with you and contribute your views and ideas.
This first survey gives you the opportunity to do just this. We will use the findings of this first survey to shape Government trans policy and consider what actions Government can take as we develop the transgender equality action plan. Government may not be able to fully address all the concerns you have highlighted (e.g. because it is not Government's role or because of lack of resources) but we are committed to considering all the views we receive.
The survey closed on 6 May 2011.
The Government wanted to reach the wider transgender community, including people we have not engaged with in the past, trans friends and colleagues.
If you have any queries please contact the Government Equalities Office on: