Question

To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what steps she plans to take to raise awareness of transgender issues and transphobia; and if she will make a statement.

The Government is committed to tackling transphobia and raising awareness of transgender issues. The Government Equalities Office regularly meets representatives of the transgender community to understand their key concerns, and we raise awareness of transgender issues across Government.

On 20 November this year, as we have previously, the Government Equalities Office flew the rainbow flag to mark International Transgender Day of Remembrance to raise awareness of transphobia and to pay respects to those whose lives have been cut short by it.

Current Government initiatives to raise awareness of transgender issues and transphobia include:

- a £2m fund launched in October 2014 to provide grants to organisations to provide support to schools to prevent and address homophobic, biphobic and transphobic bullying;

- guidance for service providers on how to meet the needs of transgender customers and service users;

- guidance for employers on how to recruit and retain transgender employees;

- advice for transgender individuals on privacy.