I am a non-binary LGBTQI feminist activist from Georgia in the South Caucasus, at the intersection of eastern Europe and western Asia. Homophobia is rampant here: queer people face violence and marginalisation in all aspects of their lives.
But the experience of members of the trans community is unparalleled. Many trans women are forced into sex work to survive, and even fear walking outside during the day. Many others have had to flee the country to escape its conservative brutality.
I am therefore shocked by the role of some 'LGB' (lesbian, gay and bisexual) activists in recent assaults against trans rights in the UK and elsewhere in the West. Disturbingly, these assaults appear to be gaining political power and threaten to reintroduce conservative ideas about gender and sexuality that could have a damaging effect on global feminist and LGBTQI movements.
