United Kingdom - Direct Action Group ‘Bash Back’ Vandalizes EHRC Headquarters

London, United Kingdom.  On the morning of October 31st, the trans direct action group Bash Back smashed the windows and vandalized the facade of the Equalities and Human Rights Commission (EHRC), the government body tasked with promoting equal accommodation in public services.

In the organization’s press release following the attack, they argue that “the EHRC is a hate group”, and that the attack is a justified response to the threat that it poses to trans people.

This is in response to the EHRC’s ongoing campaign to block trans people from accessing public spaces, including gendered bathrooms and other public accommodations.  The full proposal has not been released to the public, but if it is the same or similar to the temporary guidance issued in April, it would cause trans people to be segregated from public life.  

The EHRC has been criticized in recent years for its refusal to defend the legal equality of trans people.  Just last week, a collection of six human rights organizations lodged formal complaints against the organization, accusing it of being “unfit for purpose” in regards to fighting for equality.

This recent attack is, according to the group claiming responsibility, in response to the EHRC’s ongoing fight against trans access to public space.

Bash Back stated, via a press release,  

"Under the leadership of 'Baroness' Falkner, the EHRC has transformed itself into a hate group that wants to shred our rights and liberties. We will not accept that. Despite intense legal and political pressure they still intend to push their guidance - segregating trans people out of all single-sex spaces - to government, in a cynical attempt to erase us from public life.”

The current British government appears to be willing to support the recommendations of the EHRC. 

Despite this, the implementation of the guidance appears to be delayed due to the bureaucratic difficulties of implementing such sweeping changes.