By Jesse, Digital Communications Coordinator
Description: In this blog Jesse is picking up on the themes of their previous Pride Month blog post to explain how trans people face system inequalities in the Youth Justice System, and how we might better support trans youth.
Content warning: The works of this article explores the themes of anti-LGBTQ+ violence and discrimination, which some readers may be sensitive to and find distressing. Please read with care.
Taking place in June, Pride Month is a time for the celebration of LGBTQ+ people. However, it should also be a moment to highlight the ongoing challenges that LGBTQ+ are facing in the UK.
In 2023, it was reported that there was an increase in hate crimes against trans people by 186% in the last 5 years.[i] Along with an increasing harmful rhetoric towards the community, the UK government have wanted to stop “violence against women and girls”.[ii]
Last year (2024) for Pride Month I wrote a piece highlighting why we celebrate in June, and how we can support transgender youth during a time of uncertainty of British politics. If you have not already, you may want to read that blog post[iii] first.
I argued how the Department of Education’s draft guidance[iv] may be harmful to transgender youth in schools, and both in and outside of secure settings. Ex Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak stated that he would overhaul Britain’s equalities law to “better protect single-sex spaces”[v], by tweaking the Equality Act 2010 so that sex is defined only as someone’s biological sex.
A year on from this proposal, in April 2025 the UK Supreme Court ruled that the terms “woman” and “sex” in the Equality Act 2010 refer to a biological woman and biological sex. This means that women’s rights based on sex will not include trans women. It refuses trans women the right to use women-only spaces or services.
Peer Power Youth work with young people with lived experience of the Youth Justice System, supporting these young people in their journey to improve the youth justice and care services for the benefit of other young peers.
Although it is unclear how exactly this Supreme Court ruling will affect trans people, it could have a large impact on trans people in the Youth Justice System. The ruling could impact everything from what toilets trans youth can use, to where they are placed in secure units, prisons and mental health wards.
Furthermore, there is a mental health crisis for trans youth, with an estimated 55% of 17–19-year-olds who are trans having mental health needs, compared to around 17% of non-trans 17–19-year-olds.[vi]
There is limited research on the experiences of and service responses to LGBTQ+ young people in justice and care services, but it is clear that they are disproportionately represented.
“LGBTQ+ identifying women make up 22% of women in prison, which is almost eight times more than the general UK population. A much smaller proportion of men – 5% – identify as LGBTQ+ in prison, although this figure is likely to be underestimated due to the prevalence of homophobia and hypermasculine culture in prison.”[vii]
Intersectionality impacts LGBTQ+ people of colour, where there are more layers of discrimination that intensify each other. This could further prevent young people in these spaces from self-disclosing their identity. LGBTQ+ young people in the Criminal Justice System have been described as a “hidden population”.[viii]
It’s no secret that LGBTQ+ people have a complicated relationship with the Criminal Justice System. It was only 60 years ago that homosexuality was still criminalised in England and Wales. This historical legal discrimination against LGBTQ+ people means that the Criminal Justice System was not designed with their needs in mind.
“It’s important to amplify as many LGBTQ+ voices on matters to make policies and practices are informed” – Young Partner
It is understandable to feel anxiety and hopelessness after the Supreme Court ruling, as it is daunting for LGBTQ+ young people, particularly trans youth. But remember, existence is resistance.
We need allies, now more than ever, to use their voices to fight for trans rights. We need to listen to the experience of trans people in the Youth Justice and care services. We need to act against anti-trans rhetoric and violence.
Peer Power Youth provide young people with life skills, work experience and support them onto improving service services across health, youth justice and social care. We believe that ‘system change’ cannot happen without the involvement of young people who have experienced those services.
The UK needs support services and systems that meet the needs of children and young people. The better the services can meet needs, the fewer young people will need our support. We want an inclusive society that recognises everyone’s assets, skills and strengths, no matter their identity or background.
If you are affected by the Supreme Court decision, or you would like to support someone who is, the following resources might be helpful:
Switchboard, an LGBTQ+ helpline
Not A Phase, a charity with a mission to support and uplift the lives of trans+ adults
Genderered Intelligence, a charity that works to increase understanding of gender diversity and improve the lives of trans people
Endnotes
[i] https://www.stonewall.org.uk/news/new-data-rise-hate-crime-against-lgbtq-people-continues-stonewall-slams-uk-gov-?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=20401001017&gbraid=0AAAAADk5tNyltWNaJbuvXxxvErC702HJQ&gclid=Cj0KCQjwrPHABhCIARIsAFW2XBOS0VSBMmW5NslilvW34_efVdO9b6yHkY5epCVcqcW9A-Gs4DjXKFIaApq_EALw_wcB
[ii] https://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/trans-patients-nhs-constitution-single-sex-wards-women-b1154587.html
[iii] https://www.peerpower.org.uk/pride-month-2024-supporting-transgender-youth/\
[iv] https://consult.education.gov.uk/equalities-political-impartiality-anti-bullying-team/gender-questioning-children-proposed-guidance/supporting_documents/Gender%20Questioning%20Children%20%20nonstatutory%20guidance.pdf
[v] https://www.politico.eu/article/tories-put-trans-rights-access-row-at-heart-of-uk-election-campaign/#:~:text=In%20an%20announcement%20aimed%20at,better%20protect%20single%2Dsex%20spaces.
[vi] https://mermaidsuk.org.uk/news/newresearch-transyouth-wellbeing/
[vii] https://revolving-doors.org.uk/not-a-tick-box-exercise-lgbtq-women-and-multiple-disadvantage/
[viii] https://www.cycj.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Info-sheet-78-final.pdf
About Peer Power Youth
Peer Power Youth is a national charity supporting young people aged 13-25, who have dealt with childhood trauma. They have been affected by abuse, exclusion or violence impacting their communities, and have experience in health, youth justice and care services.
The young people that we work with have described themselves as being ‘abandoned by society’. Despite their circumstances, we see their power and potential. We do vital work to support these young people in their journey and improve the youth justice and care services they were once in for the benefit of other young peers. That’s why we focus on both individual change and system change.
Our Individual change work – We offer young people support in training, education, professional experience and promote positive wellbeing.
Our System change work – We work with young people to create real change for others in health, justice and social services.
Keep up with the latest on empathy, co-production and youth-led system change.
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