Scottish trans youth stage occupation on EHRC balcony following transphobic guidance
One activist said, “I will not have a court room or any government define my gender identity or the bathroom I use! We should be free to study for exams but we can’t do that because we’re too busy FIGHTING FOR OUR LIVES! We deserve a life, so give us one!”
5/26/20252 min read
GLASGOW, 26 May 2025, 10:00AM a group of Scottish trans youth took to occupying the balcony above the entrance to the EHRC - Equality and Human Rights Commission building - at 40 West Street, Glasgow.
The occupation is in protest to the interim guidance published by the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) which support the recent Supreme Court ruling on the biological definitions and their use in law.
The group were seen flying a banner which reads “End segregation, Trans Liberation!” as a direct response to the EHRC’s statements which seek to further alienate trans people from groups or spaces that they would have otherwise have been allowed to exist in.
An activist participating said, “It is disappointing that we have to undertake an action such as this to be listened to, but as long as we are ignored and oppressed, we we’ll keep fighting.”
Within the past month there have been several protests at the EHRC headquarters in Glasgow, but the occupation by TKDB Scotland has been the only sustained action which hopes to show the anger and betrayal felt by the Scottish trans community by holding a permanent presence over their offices for the workweek. Alongside the Scotland group TKDB England have also started an occupation outside the EHRC offices in London. Find their press release here
Equipped with flags, banners and instruments to lead a series of chants emphasising their presence, the teenage activists are calling on their comrades and allies to show up and make some noise in support. They’re showing the EHRC that they won’t let their guidance dictate where they’re allowed to exist, in a very literal sense.
The young activists are determined to get their rage, anger and sorrow out and this action is the way to do it. Trans kids deserve to have a right to education without worry of being segregated because of their identity, so change that, go to the protest and be vocal about your anger because Trans Kids Deserve Better.
Action takers were arrested and held for up to 9 hours, but are now all safely released. 2 supporters were also arrested, with one being held for a court hearing tomorrow.
Find photos and videos here