Brighton community groups, including Brighton Dyke Collective and Trans Liberation Front Brighton, have slammed Brighton & Hove City Council councillor Alison Thomson for engaging with transphobic content on the X platform, formerly known as Twitter.
The Labour councillor has reposted or liked a series of tweets supporting the anti-trans TERF movement, which is spearheaded by controversial figures such as JK Rowling and Julie Bindel.
In a post shared on Instagram, Brighton Dyke Collective said: “Despite everything Brighton & Hove Labour say about being allies to the LGBTQIA+ community, one of their councillors posted and retweeted transphobic content to her twitter feed as recently as last September, but was still allowed to stand. This should be unacceptable anywhere, but in such a queer-friendly city like Brighton & Hove, it’s particularly disappointing.”
Scene was approached by Brighton Trans, who told us: “The fact that Cllr Thomson retweeted content explicitly calling trans women men and comparing the process of transitioning to trying to become a dog, shows that the views she holds aren’t just so-called ‘reasonable concerns’ but outright transphobia. In a city famed for being incredibly LGBTQ+ friendly, it’s completely unacceptable that we could have someone like this in a position of power.
“Brighton & Hove Labour claim to be allies to the trans community, but with the current direction of their national party and the fact that they now have an openly transphobic councillor, they need to do a lot more to prove that to the LGBTQ+ people of this city.”
Councillor Alison Thomson has since apologised for engaging with transphobic posts on social media, as reported by Scene magazine. The councillor said in her apology:
“I apologise unreservedly for endorsing these social media posts which contain anti-trans sentiments.
“I recognise that they are offensive to the transgender community and I am deeply sorry for the hurt caused by this.
“I am committed to undergoing training to better understand the lived experiences of transgender people and with the aim of becoming a good trans ally.”
Leader of Brighton & Hove City Council and Labour Group, Bella Sankey added: “We know that Brighton & Hove is a beacon city for trans, non-binary, gender queer and lesbian, gay and bisexual communities. People come to our city because we are known as a safe and inclusive city with a thriving diverse and intersectional population.
“As your Labour Council, we stand in solidarity with our trans, non-binary and intersex communities and are proud of our commitment for trans equality and we celebrate our city’s diversity.
“I want to reassure the trans community that any expressions of anti-trans sentiment in any form will not be tolerated.
“Councillor Thomson has now, rightly, apologised unreservedly for her actions. I have also taken the decision to remove Cllr Thomson from her lead role on City Centre Renewal, while further investigation is carried out and subject to her completing training.”
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