Stop Discrimination in the Green Party

This spring, I was hard at work on my election campaign to become a Bristol City Councillor. It was my first time standing. I was so excited to be a Green Party candidate, especially as a trans woman of colour, I was selected on International Women’s Day to stand.

With only a few weeks to go until the election, I got an email from the party. It said I had been suspended. I had to stand down straight away and end my campaign.

With the Green Party's strong support of trans liberation, why would the regional council of the Green Party of England and Wales make this decision?

Photo of Kathryn with Green Party members at London Trans Pride

A complaint was made against me that alleged I was putting the party at 'immediate risk’ by saying that my sex is female in response to the 2021 census.

Reading this news was like being punched in the throat. That one email took the wind right out of me. I read the words over and over to check I hadn't imagined it all.

The complaint submitted against me, which forms the basis of my suspension, is horrible to even read by itself; it states articles that mention me by the Daily Mail, The Spectator and even Graham Linehan’s transphobic blog are evidence of me bringing the party into disrepute.

As Trans Media Watch has said relating to my suspension:

"It is as though the Green Party decided, henceforth, to sub-contract its policy on climate change to the leader writers at the Daily Telegraph."

The result of which means the political party I love, that I joined because of my passion for social and climate justice, told me that my identity as a trans person puts them at risk. I feel so humiliated when all I ever wanted to do is help people.

I felt powerless to respond in a way that would mean anything - to this organisation of 50,000+ members. I felt like I'd let down all the trans people who look up to me because I had the courage to stand for election. This led to a downward spiral in my mental health.

I have to be honest; since this news, I have struggled to get out of bed most days. But I have mustered all the energy I have to stand up to those in the party that would like to see me gone.

More details of my suspension have been reported by openDemocracy

Photo of Kathryn Bristow at London Trans Pride

Now I need your help to take the party to court.

If we win, then the party will have to face up to its problem with transphobia. Trans people will feel safer to stand for election, knowing the party has their back.

Sadly it is true that trans members of the Green Party of England and Wales face abuse and cruelty from transphobes on a daily basis. There are Facebook groups and social media channels whose sole aim is to trash and harass Green trans members. Through these, members coordinate to submit complaints like the one against me. They aim to rid the party of all trans and non-binary people and remove our policies on trans rights.

Even those who aren't openly transphobic in the party's ruling bodies, have enabled these members by not taking a firm stance against bigotry. Their view is that abuse behind closed doors is none of their business, as we are told they have to consider “both sides”.

A solid legal challenge means there will be a case from the top to tackle this head-on. It will hasten the day when the party has to finally put a stop to discrimination that has plagued the party. To help me and my trans siblings breathe easier again.

If you think this is cruel and unjust, donate now. Stand up against the bullies who wield power in the party unchecked.

Photo of Kathryn Bristow

This is a lonely fight. I can't lie; I've had dark moments. Even a £1 contribution will help show I am not alone in this fight. I will feel so much better to know that people are with me and support me.

Please give whatever you can afford. If you can't spare anything (I know some reading this are in that place), then please share this with as many people as possible.

Let's make sure that not one more Green trans person has to suffer in the same way. And that the Green Party of England and Wales becomes a safe place for trans people once again.

FAQs

Q: What happens if you miss the target?

A: I will still spend all the money raised on legal fees. Any court costs I may have to pay and any amounts charged by my legal representatives, which so far have been paid by a very kind friend.

Q: What happens if you raise more money than you need?

A: If that happens (GREAT NEWS!) I will donate all surplus funds (after I've paid GoFundMe fees) to the Good Law Project's 'Legal Defence Fund for Transgender Lives'.

This crowdfunder is not associated with the Good Law Project, the Green Party or any other organisation.