UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is facing widespread criticism for hosting a Pride Month celebration at 10 Downing Street, despite his government’s stance on trans rights drawing accusations of regression.
A video shared by Downing Street’s official social media accounts showcased the reception, held at the prime minister’s London residence, marking Pride Month.
Addressing attendees, Starmer praised LGBTQ+ organisations for their advocacy and stated:
“Because of you and indeed everyone in this garden that the UK has become a better place, where people are freer to be who they are, love who they love.
But, of course, there is always more work to do – and I accept that – but I want you to know that this is a government that is committed to the fundamental principles of respect, dignity and equality.”
He added that his government is “absolutely determined” to improve LGBTQ+ lives “right across Britain”.
However, critics pointed out the contradiction between Starmer’s speech and his party’s policy record, particularly on trans rights.
In 2020, Labour had committed to introducing gender self-identification, but by 2023 the party, under Starmer’s leadership, had walked that back. Instead, the revised position retained the requirement for a medical diagnosis of gender dysphoria to change legal gender.
Since Labour’s landslide win in July 2024, Starmer’s government has upheld and extended the previous Conservative ban on puberty blockers for trans youth, citing the Cass Review. It also supported a controversial Supreme Court ruling on the legal definition of sex.
Following the judgement, Starmer’s spokesperson told BBC News:
“No, the Supreme Court judgment has made clear that when looking at the Equality Act, a woman is a biological woman. That is set out clearly by the court judgment.”
Starmer himself welcomed the ruling, saying:
“I welcome the decision of the Supreme Court, which has given us much-needed clarity… I’m really pleased the court has clarified the position. We can move on from there and that’s very helpful.”
When asked by ITV West Country whether he still considered trans women to be women, Starmer replied:
“I think the Supreme Court has answered that question. A woman is an adult female, the court has made that absolutely clear.”
The ruling has had immediate consequences. Organisations like the Football Association, the England and Wales Cricket Board, and the Scottish Parliament have moved to exclude trans people from single-sex spaces and services.
Starmer’s appearance at the Pride reception triggered swift backlash online, especially from LGBTQ+ community members and allies.
“This is ridiculous. He has no right to host an event like this whilst stripping rights from the community. Bore off,” one person commented.
Another wrote:
“Keir, you can’t be serious… you’ve rolled back trans rights by 20 years. This is incredibly insulting.”
A particularly scathing response read:
“This is the most regressive government on LGBT+ rights in my lifetime. You are an active part of the Lemkin Institute raising a red flag for potential genocide against trans and intersex people. You should be embarrassed posting this.”
Others accused Starmer of “empty gestures” and “performative allyship”, with one user adding:
“If he actually wanted to support the LGBT+ community, he would oppose the Supreme Court ruling and EHRC guidance. Waving a flag around does not support us.”
While some commenters acknowledged the Pride event itself, they called out the hypocrisy.
“I’m happy to see the Pride celebrations, but it’s a bit of a kick in the teeth to the trans folk you’ve chosen to exclude following the high court ruling funded by private lobbyists,” one person wrote.
“LGBT — the T is just as important as the rest.”
