Each year, International Women’s Day is an opportunity for women, from all backgrounds, to come together, celebrate the progress we’ve made and encourage one another to keep going. It’s also an important moment to recognise the strength we have when we join forces.
Throughout history, movements for gender equality and social justice have achieved progress because individuals from all walks of life, came together to stand shoulder to shoulder with each other to bring about positive social change.
Whether you’re a working-class bi woman, a trans woman of faith, or a BAME woman with a disability, we are connected by a desire to liberate all people who have been economically, socially and culturally marginalised. It’s as Audre Lorde said: “There is no such thing as a single-issue struggle because we do not live single-issue lives.” It is essential in the fight for equality that no-one is left behind. Embracing and recognising women from all communities enriches and informs our understanding of equality.
Just last weekend we saw this idea put into practice in Scotland. A group of 70 women, including actor Emma Thompson and SNP MP Mhairi Black, along with women’s rights campaigners, journalists and academics, signed a powerful open letter in support of trans equality in Scotland.
This action is a perfect example of what it means, not just to stand up as an ally, but to stand with others in the face of hate. Right now trans women are the focus of a lot of hateful debate and we know trans people as a group face horrific discrimination in all areas of their lives. For cis women to use their platform to speak out in solidarity against this abuse is exactly the kind of message we need to see more of in the fight for equality. It’s what makes organic social movements like #LwiththeT so important.
As a proud lesbian feminist and ally to the trans community, I believe true equality doesn’t exist until it’s extended to everyone in our society. That means we cannot be complacent. To build a better world, where no one faces discrimination because of who they are, we need to stand united, not just in Britain, but also globally.
That’s why Stonewall recently launched a new international project to address the human rights violations faced by lesbians, bi women and trans communities around the globe. Work to support these groups is severely under-resourced, and so this project aims to unite 29 leading LBT+ campaigners as a coalition who by working together can create lasting, meaningful change.
Bringing women together in this way means they can make their voices heard and strengthen international advocacy for the rights of lesbians, bi women and trans people worldwide. This is the kind of intersectional work that needs to be celebrated and championed, especially on days like today.
When we work from an understanding that all our struggles are connected, that’s when we start to see real change take hold.
So let’s make this International Women’s Day a day for us to reflect on what we can achieve in the collective fight for equality of every woman – no matter their sexual orientation, race, gender identity, class, and/or ability. We need women of all backgrounds and experiences to come together to help bring forward the day when everyone is accepted without exception.
Jan Gooding is chair of the board of trustees at Stonewall
Useful websites and helplines:
- London Lesbian & Gay switchboard (LLGS) is a free confidential support & information helpline for LGBT communities throughout the UK | 0300 330 0630
- Manchester Lesbian and Gay Switchboard is a free support, information and referral service for the Manchester and North-West area | 0161 235 8000
- Stonewall for more information on other LGBT services and helplines | 08000 502020