Kezia Dugdale Warns LGBTQ+ Rights Could 'Go Backwards' in the UK
Kezia Dugdale, the former leader of Scottish Labour, has voiced profound concerns about the erosion of LGBTQ+ rights in Britain, stating she now feels "quite scared" as a lesbian and has grown nervous about public displays of affection with her wife. In an exclusive interview announcing her appointment as the next chair of the LGBTQ+ charity Stonewall, Dugdale highlighted the tangible risks posed by rising rightwing populism, warning that hard-won advancements like equal marriage are no longer guaranteed.
A Turbulent Period for Stonewall
Dugdale will assume the unpaid role in six months, stepping into a position at an organisation that has faced significant turbulence. Stonewall recently lost over half its income and was forced to make dozens of staff redundant, largely due to its uncompromising stance on transgender rights. Critics have accused the charity of pursuing a "militant trans agenda" and a "no debate" approach, particularly regarding the inclusion of trans women in single-sex spaces such as prisons, hospital wards, and women's refuges.
Dugdale's appointment appears to signal a strategic pivot for Stonewall. She openly acknowledged the charity's past missteps while advocating for a more conciliatory and inclusive dialogue. Remarkably, she also expressed considerable praise for author JK Rowling, a figure who has become a focal point for controversy within the trans community due to her views.
Calling for Kindness and Common Ground
When asked about the perception that Rowling's approach has been cruel and dehumanising towards trans people, Dugdale responded with a plea for understanding from all sides. "I understand that," she said, "and I've also heard JK Rowling and other people who hold a different position on these issues to me describe with a similar rawness how they've experienced being opposed for their views. And I just think, the days of these culture wars, about sitting in polar extremes from each other, should be behind us now."
She emphasised Stonewall's renewed strategy, which focuses on navigating this societal turbulence through listening, engaging, and influencing policy in powerful rooms to foster more inclusive communities. "We want to be in the messy, grey bit … because that's where progress and consensus is found," Dugdale asserted, highlighting a move away from dogmatic positions.
Personal and Political Fractures
The former politician revealed that her support for trans rights has cost her friendships, particularly with longstanding allies in the Labour movement. "I'm personally very sorry that a lot of the women that I've campaigned alongside for decades in the Labour movement sit on a different side of the conversation about gender – that's hard," she admitted, acknowledging her own role in these fractures through past language.
Despite their differences, Dugdale maintained deep respect for JK Rowling, praising her inspirational journey and advocacy for single mothers and poverty alleviation. "There is absolutely a place for her in public life to share her experiences and tell her story and make a difference," she stated, calling for "a bit of kindness, a bit of generosity of spirit" in the debate.
Policy Priorities and Personal Reflections
Dugdale supported the Scottish government's gender recognition reform bill, which aimed to simplify legal gender changes, including for 16- and 17-year-olds, through a self-identification process. Although the bill was passed in Scotland in 2022 and subsequently blocked by the UK government, she remains a believer. However, she clarified that pushing for self-ID is "not top of the list" of Stonewall's current priorities.
The charity's focus now includes securing justice for military veterans, advocating for a ban on conversion therapy, and ensuring broader LGBTQ+ safety and inclusion. Dugdale's personal journey adds depth to her advocacy; she left frontline politics in 2019 after disagreements with Jeremy Corbyn over Brexit and later married SNP MSP Jenny Gilruth, the Scottish education secretary. While no longer a party member, she humorously noted voting SNP: "You try not voting for your wife!"
A Moment of Fear and Hope
Reflecting on her decision to lead Stonewall, Dugdale cited a mixture of fear and hope. "I'm quite scared just now as an openly gay person in this country looking at what's happening elsewhere in the world," she confessed, pointing to examples like Italy where LGBTQ+ rights have rapidly rolled back. "It's completely possible in this country that things could go backwards and there are now a lot of political actors that want to take us backwards."
Her motivation stems from a desire to protect the progress made and to continue the battles for equality, with Stonewall at the forefront. As she prepares to take the helm, Dugdale's message is clear: the fight for LGBTQ+ rights is far from over, and it requires a united, compassionate approach to navigate the challenges ahead.
