Over the weekend the author attended Trans+ Pride in London to observe the event firsthand and was accompanied by detransitioner Michael Kerr. The report describes many young women displaying double mastectomy scars and signs of hormone-related acne, a notable presence of disabled attendees, and a mix of activist groups. The event featured aggressive chants, obscene and violent placards (some aimed at JK Rowling), and appearances by controversial figures such as Sarah Jane Baker. The author expresses sorrow and concern about rapid medical transition and the confrontational atmosphere.
Inside Trans+ Pride London: Scars, Confrontation and Concerns About Rapid Transition
Organisers described it as the largest annual demonstration of its kind - James Klug/Getty
Over the weekend I attended Trans+ Pride in London to observe the event firsthand. As a lifelong feminist with more than 20 years campaigning against gender ideology, I went expecting disagreement; I did not expect to be so emotionally affected by what I saw.
What I Observed
I was accompanied by Michael Kerr, who spent seven years living as Caitlin before detransitioning last year and who is now regarded by many in the trans movement as an opponent. We moved through a crowd of participants that included many young people, a noticeable number of disabled attendees (indicated by wheelchairs and walking sticks), and a variety of activist groups.
Several hundred young women displayed double mastectomy scars; I found that sight upsetting. I also observed a number of young people with severe acne, which I assumed was linked to hormone treatment. Despite surgical and hormonal interventions, many participants remained visibly female to my eye.
On arrival I saw two people, both with facial hair, passing cream between them and wincing as they massaged the scars where breasts had been. One placard read: "This is my last summer with tits." Another included a QR code linking to a GoFundMe appeal for "top surgery."
Confrontation, Slogans and Graphic Placards
The demonstration contained aggressive rhetoric and a number of obscene and violent placards. An organiser used the sound system to single out "TERFs" (trans-exclusionary radical feminists); chants such as "There are many, many, many more of us than you" were directed at critics, and my name was called out.
Several placards on display referred to JK Rowling - Wiktor Szymanowicz/Future Publishing
Some signs targeted public figures—several attacked JK Rowling. One man held a placard that read: "Vore all transphobes." (Vorarephilia is a sexual fantasy involving being eaten.) Another said: "The EHRC can suck my d---." A placard that read, "Every time you punch a TERF, a trans kid gets more rights," was waved near me as I joined the rally at Trafalgar Square.
Sarah Jane Baker attended and chanted about prisoners' rights. Baker was released from a male prison in 2019 after serving a lengthy sentence for kidnap, torture and attempted murder; at a 2023 demonstration Baker reportedly urged participants to "punch a f---king TERF." At this event Baker had "Free Gaza" painted across the chest.
Groups And Subcultures Present
A range of groups and subcultures were visible. Activists associated with Bash Back and sex workers' rights were present; some compared the claimed trans "genocide" to events in Gaza. Chants included "trans joy," and calls for easier access to hormone treatment—"HRT, HRT, over the counter and for free!"—were frequent.
There were also displays that some observers would describe as paraphilic: a person in a furry costume stood nearby, while sizeable groups wearing heavy leather and bondage gear were also visible; in one instance a participant wore a gas mask. At one point a veiled man pointed at me and Michael Kerr and made a throat-cutting gesture.
Conversations And Tensions
I asked a group of gay men why Trans+ Pride was held in addition to mainstream LGBT Pride events. They said trans women were being excluded from some spaces, including bathrooms, and that they felt their rights were under threat. When I raised the issue of female-only spaces and their purpose in protecting women from male violence, some appeared surprised and dismissed the comparison, arguing that assaults by trans women would be no different from the occasional assaults by cisgender women.
Reflections
Amid chants, confrontational slogans and graphic placards, I found myself grieving for the many young bodies I saw that had undergone surgical and hormonal interventions. I remain concerned about the speed of medical and social transitions for some young people and the complex mix of activism, sexual expression and political rhetoric present at this event.
Note: This account reflects the author's observations and feelings at the event.
Help us improve.
