VIDEO: HUNDREDS of people turned out in Warrington’s Golden Square at an event organised by the town’s Transgender community to remember 16-year-old- local schoolgirl Brianna Ghey, exactly one week on from her murder.
It follows various other vigils around the country, including one in Culcheth last night on the village green, not far from where Brianna, a pupil at Birchwood High School, died from multiple stab wounds in Culcheth Linear Park
Warrington North MP Charlotte Nichols addressed the gathering saying: “It is every MP’s worst nightmare to be asked to speak to eulogise a constituent who has been murdered, and never more so than in the case of the murder of a child- it’s something we all hope we will never have to do.
“Brianna Ghey’s murder has left our community reeling, and I cannot begin to imagine the agony her family, friends and loved ones are feeling right now.
“No parent should have to bury a child. No trans person should have to live in fear because of our prejudice or our complacency. No community should have to grieve as we grieve.
“I hope today can be some small act of love and compassion to all those who are hurting, just as the outpouring of kindness, solidarity and allyship from around the country and around the world, and all the thousands of candles lit have been some light in this time of darkness.
“I’m proud to represent a constituency and a town that is much more diverse than we’re usually given credit for, and our latest census results have been proof of this, with just over 5000 respondents to the census who identify as LGBT+ including around 700 trans and non-binary people.
But for all the progress we have made as a town and a society for LGBT people, and in tackling violence against women and girls, Brianna’s shocking murder is a reminder of the inescapable reality that none of us- trans or cis, LGBT or straight, women and girls, or men and boys- are safe until we are all safe.
“Trans lives matter, and trans young people should have the fundamental rights to dignity and safety that should be universal human rights.
“I want to thank Cheshire Police and in particular our Borough Commander for Warrington, Adam Ross, for how swiftly they have apprehended and charged those believed to o be responsible for Brianna’s murder; for their support for Brianna’s family and their liaison with me as Brianna’s MP keeping me up to date with all the developments in her case; and for their work in the community including making sure last night’s memorial and tonight’s can be conducted safely.
“While we will not have all the facts in Brianna’s case until after the legal process has concluded, and we must all ensure we are careful not to prejudice those proceedings which could deny Brianna’s family the justice she deserves, it would be remiss of me not to pass comment on the wider culture and context as we gather here today, when it comes to trans rights.”
Ms Nichols went on to say: “I am committed in my role in Parliament to tackle violence against women and girls, and to ensure we uphold and protect the rights of trans people to live as their authentic selves in safety, removing the barriers which stop them from living their lives as they wish or being able to access support they need.
“But this is not the case across the board when it comes to Westminster.
“We’re now on our 4th Prime Minister since the LGBT Action Plan was published in 2017, and still its recommendations have not been implemented, making this country fundamentally less safe for all LGBT people and trans people especially.
“This Government has repeatedly kicked the can down the road on banning conversion therapy, including trying to remove protections for trans people from the draft legislation.
“The former attorney general, now Home Secretary, wrote to schools last summer encouraging them not to refer to trans pupils by their new names or pronouns, nor to make allowances on school uniforms in line with the child’s identity- unless specifically required to do so by a doctor, effectively seeking to curtail social transition and affirming treatment in our schools.
“This month the Government blocked progressive reform of the Gender Recognition Act in Scotland, voted for by MSPs of all parties after a six year period of debate and consultation, which makes it easier for trans people to have their gender legally recognised on their birth, marriage and death certificates.
“And the new Deputy Chairman of the Conservative Party said just this week that they intend to fight the General Election on “culture war issues and the trans debate”.
She added: “The media landscape and narratives they peddle about transgender people is absolutely toxic, and it’s telling that there’s been very little let up by the nationals this week despite what has happened. In fact, we’ve seen some of those newspapers and media outlets deadnaming Brianna, harassing family and friends, sharing misinformation and failing to discuss these issues with sensitivity or compassion.
“I want to specifically thank the Warrington Guardian and Warrington Worldwide for the sensitivity with which they have covered Brianna’s murder, the investigation, and the way our community and the country have come together at events like today’s to remember Brianna.
“I hope the wider media will learn from them, and will do better and I will continue to hold them accountable as MP, for Brianna and for all our LGBT+ community.”
She ended her remarks by a reading from Sarah Jones, a friend and trans Anglican priest, who wrote a prayer for Brianna.
God of Light and Life,
We entrust Brianna to your loving presence and we pray for her family and friends and for all who grieve for her now.Hear the cry of our hearts
as we call out for justice and mercy.
Give your peace to those who are frightened, and your light to those in darkness.Inspire us to build a world
where all people are valued and safe
and all your creation is honoured.
Amen.
Meanwhile, Warrington Town Hall was lit up in pink and flew the LGBT flag at half mast in memory of Brianna.
A live broadcast of the event can be viewed on Warrington Worldwide’s facebook page.
Candles are lit in memory ofd Brianna Ghey
Hundreds turned out at Golden Square to show their support – Picture Matt Dempsey
1 Comment
Thankfully in the UK TRANS people are by far the safest demographic and that ought to be remembered.
This is a terrible tragedy and time will reveal the facts.
My condolences to Brianna’s family and friends.