‘Andy Burnham needs to stand up to the transphobes who do not represent the majority’
By Rebecca Givan
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Saturday 25 July 2026
Fuck the EHRC (Pic: Guy Smallman)
The streets of London were filled with blue, white and pink flags on Saturday as some 150,000 people joined London Trans+ Pride March.
Trans+ Pride was launched in 2019. But the numbers are growing every year. Organisers said the event this year was the world’s largest trans+ pride event.
One non-binary marcher told Socialist Worker, “This is a huge community. I feel so blessed to be here, fighting for trans rights.”
This year’s march has become increasingly relevant as the state ramps up attacks on trans+ people.
Transphobic guidance from the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) is set to come into force on 5 August. It instructs public institutions and organisations to deny trans+ people access to single-sex spaces.
Pride organisers stressed the march was a protest, not a party. Signs read “my right to exist is not up for debate” and campaigners handed out leaflets telling marchers how to defy the EHRC guidelines and transphobic restrictions on hormone replacement therapy.
Jess from AKT, a charity that supports homeless LGBT+ youth, told Socialist Worker, “We’ve struggled immensely with the number of referrals coming in since the EHRC guidelines.”
Hayley, who is also from AKT added, “We need the government to prioritise homeless LGBT+ people. Housing needs to be talked about. They have to build more houses.”
Rebecca from East London told Socialist Worker, “I’m here to stand up for trans+ rights. “We were standing up for them 10 years ago and now we have to fight again. It’s horrific that they’re being rolled back.
Rebecca added, “Andy Burnham needs to stand up to the transphobes who do not represent the majority.”
Throughout the march there were Palestinian flags and scarves. One placard read, “If you tolerate Labour’s genocide in Palestine, you will be next”. And at the rally, speakers called for solidarity with Palestine, the Congo, and other countries facing imperial slaughter.
The march was backed by trade unions including the NEU, Prospect, Equity, PCS and others. It was joined by activist groups such as Transparent Action and FFLAG, representing parents and relatives of trans+ and LGBT+ people.
Despite the attacks trans+ people face, there was a joyous and celebratory mood on the march too. One sign read “trans joy is here to stay”.
Members of Samba Sisters, a collective of women and non-binary samba musicians, provided the music. Phi from Samba Sisters told Socialist Worker, “We’re here because trans+ sisters and brothers are our siblings. We’re sick and tired of a marginalised group being downtrodden and pushed out of society. I love trans people and non-binary people, they’re my family.”
Supporters of Women Against The Far Right (WAFR) joined the march to highlight the threat of the growing far right. Far right and fascist groups attack trans+ people and claim they want to protect women and girls.
Samira from WAFR told Socialist Worker, “We know the far right wants to attack all women, and they’re using transphobia as a way to divide us. Cis women have to stand with trans women, it’s one struggle, one fight.”
The huge show of support on the streets of London shows that transphobes don’t represent the majority.
Now the new prime minister has a chance to break with Keir Starmer’s transphobic policies. But his cabinet picks show it could be more of the same.
Activists will need to put pressure on Burnham to change course. And workers will need to be ready to support their trans+ colleagues and defy the EHRC guidance.