Boris Johnson says he doesn't believe 'biological males should be competing in female sporting events'.
The prime minister has come into a great deal of criticism over the decision not to introduce a ban on all conversion therapies targeted at the LGBTQ+ community.
Today, he was asked about the decision and what his thoughts were on trans issues, including spaces for women and sports.
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Speaking to LBC, Johnson said: "I don't think biological males should be competing in female sporting events.
"Maybe that's a controversial thing to say but it just seems to me to be sensible.
"And I also happen to think that women should have spaces, whether it's in hospitals or prisons or changing rooms or wherever, which are dedicated to women.
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"That's as far as my thinking has developed on this issue, and if that puts me in conflict with some others, then we've got to work it all out.
"That does not mean I'm not immensely sympathetic to people who want to change gender, transition, and it's vital that we give people the maximum possible love and support in making those decisions.
"But these are complex issues and I don't think they can be solved with one swift, easy piece of legislation, it takes a lot of thought to get this right."
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This comes after the announcement that dozens of LGBTQ+ and HIV charities were boycotting the UK government's LGBT conference over its decision not to ban trans conversion practices.
The government last week reversed its pledge to ban all conversion therapies, first stating that no ban would be made as yet.
However, following a backlash, it then made a u-turn, announcing that gay and bisexual conversion therapies would be banned but not those targeted at the trans community.
Groups including Stonewall and the Terrence Higgins Trust said Johnson had 'broken promise on protecting trans people' from the harm caused by these practices.
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In a statement, Stonewall said: "Trans people are no less worth of respect, care and protection than cis lesbian, gay and bi people.
"If the UK government cannot stand behind and respect all LGBTQ+ people’s fundamental human rights, it should not be convening an LGBTQ+ rights conference on the global stage."
The Terrence Higgins Trust said: "The government’s decision to exclude trans people from the ban on conversion therapy is completely unacceptable.
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"Trans rights are human rights – progress without or at the expense of trans people is not progress.
"We stand together and will not be divided."
Responding to the criticism, a government spokesperson said: "The UK has a proud history of LGBT rights and the prime minister has been very clear he is committed to bringing forward legislation to ban conversion therapy.
"He has made the point emphatically that people who want to make a transition in their lives should be treated with the maximum possible generosity and respect, but the complexity of issues requires separate work to further consider transgender conversation therapy."
If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence contact Mindline Trans+ on 0300 330 5468. The line is open 8pm–midnight Mondays and Fridays and is run by trans volunteers
Topics: Politics, Boris Johnson, UK News
