Exeter councillor 'spat on' in street

Hostility result of trans issue

People from Exeter’s LGBT+ community are still facing ‘hatred, abuse, public humiliation and assault’, councillors have been told.

During an emotional meeting of the full city council, Independent councillor Zoe Hughes (Pennsylvania) said they had been spat on in the streets of the city.

Another councillor described ‘relentless bigotry and abuse’, while another warned that Exeter had work to do if it was to keep its reputation as an inclusive and safe space.

Cllr Hughes left the council’s Labour group earlier this year in a row over its gender policies.

They said they could not accept the party’s support of a ban on puberty blockers for under-18s questioning their gender identity.

Cllr Hughes asked her colleagues to support a motion which said: “Trans women are women, trans men are men, and non-binary and intersex people exist and deserve recognition. 

“Everyone should be safe and free to be themselves, without fear of hostility or violence, and the erosion of trans rights threatens everyone’s rights – especially women and girls.

“Nobody’s life chances should be limited or determined because of their sexual orientation or gender identity or gender expression.”

Cllr Hughes said they had received ‘harrowing’ reports from many different parts of the city.

“These offences range from posters on lamp-posts outing school teachers, to impersonation online, to being physically dragged out of the ladies’ toilets by security in a pub, to being spat on,” they said.

“As a non-binary councillor I have received hate mail to the civic centre directly addressed to me. I have been physically spat on.

“All of these things have happened in our wards and on our streets. This is not acceptable in a city that prides itself on being inclusive and safe for all.”

Cllr Paul Knott (Lab, Exwick) said his own daughter had transitioned from male to female.

“She has faced relentless bigotry and abuse from people around her,” he said. “Including fellow students on her own campus.

“Trans women, trans men, non-binary and inter-sex people exist, and they live and work in every ward of this wonderful, inclusive and diverse city of ours.”

Deputy council leader Laura Wright (Lab, St Thomas) said: “These are not separate communities of different people. This is us. We are all together in this.”

And council leader Phil Bialyk (Lab, Exwick) called for ‘solidarity’.

Former Lord Mayor Kevin Mitchell (Lib Dem, Duryard and St James) summed up: “Exeter is a welcoming and inclusive city, but there is still hatred. There are still groups of individuals who believe it is fun to say things that really hurt members of our community.

“When I was Lord Mayor I was very open about my sexuality, and I always have been. Just for raising the Pride flag above this building, and just for attending a Pride march, I received online abuse.

“There is still prejudice out there, but it is vital that we continue to try to move things forwards.”

Councillors voted unanimously – with one abstention – to back the motion.