Members of the child led trans rights group Trans Kids Deserve Better Scotland (TKDBS) layed flat on the ground outside the Parliament. A powerful protest to show a visual representation of trans kids dying from waiting to receive trans healthcare at the Sandyford NHS Gender Identity Clinic (GIC) in Glasgow.

In addition the protest is a reaction to the UK government’s ban on puberty blockers and the current systemic transphobia in the UK.

Next to the protesters signs were displayed. One sign surrounded by trans coloured plastic skeletons read “Nobody Will Survive A 224 Year Waiting List”. A reference to the extremely long wait times for trans people to access trans healthcare on the NHS.

Posting on Instagram TKDBS Scotland wrote:

“Young trans activists held a die-in at Scottish parliament to protest the 224-year wait for initial appointments at Sandyford Clinic.

These activists lay on the ground in grey wigs and costumes with painted skeletons to demonstrate the fact that we will die before we get the life-saving healthcare we need.

Our government needs to be funding more gender clinics around Scotland and allow us to get the healthcare we deserve.”

Trans Kids Human Rights Under Attack

Over the past few years UK trans kids have faced an ever increasing roll back of their human rights. From the Tavistock GIDS (Gender Indentity Development Service) closing to the UK Puberty Blocker Ban, trans exclusionary school guidance, increasing wait times for treatment and the ever growing mainstream media hostility towards trans people.

Being a trans kid in the UK is really tough right now. They are fighting to be heard, listened to. They want to be treated with the dignity and respect the UK government promised them.