Re: LRT, Truss statement. I thought this heeadline from GSN was really irresponsible and should be corrected. Overstating and misrepresenting the potential harm may activate trans political action, but it's a major risk to trans mental health.

First, the Government hasn't said it *will* do anything. It's signalled very worrying intentions, but "will" implies we're past the point where we can change it. This encourages panic and defeatism.

Second, Truss not said anything will be banned, let alone anything specific. Obstructed, yes, maybe. But what are the mechanisms for a state-mandated ban on a medical procedure, and have any of those been signalled? "Ban" miscommunicates how law and medicine work.

Third, no government can ban transition. They can intervene in trans healthcare, and they can prevent legal recognition. They can't stop transition, and they can't eradicate trans people. Transition has *always* mostly happened outside of the state.

This last point is most crucial to me. Equating transition with medical intervention, usually specifically with surgery, is a cis preoccupation we shouldn't be repeating. Observe how the GSN headline morphs into Sky's direct misinformation. "Transition" becomes "surgery".

Even if we only consider the medical aspects of transition, this is not fully reliant on the state, and we shouldn't be spreading that misunderstanding. Trans people accessed all medical interventions without state support before, and we continue to do so.

Yes, the Truss statement is bad, and an early sign of a long battle. We should push back now, but aware that we're nowhere near the actual legal struggles. There's no change to force now other than government messaging. And we should be building trans healthcare too.

Consider the effect that your language on the Truss statement has on trans people. Are you spreading understanding and motivating action, or spreading panic and defeatism? How are your emotions doing in response to this, and how can you look after them and other trans people?

When talking about the Truss statement, what kind of action are you directing people towards? Petitions and letters, sure, they have a role. But how can you build & help people access trans health? If the state wants to abandon us, what can you do other than appeal to the state?

Trans Health UK is a new site sharing trans healthcare info within and outwith the state: http://transhealthuk.noblogs.org 

MATE does mutual aid for queer & trans people in Edinburgh: http://mate.lgbt 

QueerCare does transfeminist care, support & advocacy: http://queercare.network/