Fighting back bigots with music, art, and protest.
Bimini, renowned pop star and former contestant on RuPaul's Drag Race UK, took a stand against the proposed anti-trans legislation by staging a powerful protest at the Greenpeace stage during their performance at Glastonbury Festival. Bimini interrupted their set to hold up a compelling placard that read, "Bin The Tories Anti-Trans Ban," while fans in the crowd proudly raised similar signs in support.
The Conservative government's proposal aims to alter the legal definition of sex, a move that has drawn significant concern and criticism. In April, the Equalities and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) issued a letter to then-Equalities Minister Kemi Badenoch, at her request, that endorsed and outlined the implications of the change.
Badenoch, who currently serves as the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, expressed her contemplation of amending the law to establish a legal distinction between individuals assigned female at birth and those who have undergone transition, as reported by The National.
If this change is implemented, it would result in a transfer of rights from trans women to trans men, enabling trans men to be considered for "women-only" shortlists and granting them pregnancy and maternity rights. Additionally, there is concern that transgender individuals may face legal barriers preventing them from accessing facilities that align with their acquired gender, including single-sex bathrooms.
While on stage at Glastonbury, Bimini passionately declared, "If it wasn't for trans people, I wouldn't be able to stand on this stage right now. Trans people are the reason we obtained our rights; they were at the forefront of the Stonewall riots. If you truly support trans people, be a genuine ally."
In other news, Bimini will be joining Self Esteem for the latter's headline show in Bimini's hometown of Sheffield at the end of the summer.
