Transgender woman dies after spiteful courts pick men's prison

The transgender pride flag (Click to enlarge)

Maddy Steeds, Socialist Party LGBT group

A transgender woman has died after courts sentenced her to 12 months in a male prison. Vicky Thompson was found dead on 13 November at Armley Jail in Leeds.

Despite advancements over recent years in the transgender rights movement, there are still many areas of society that have not advanced enough. Vicky had requested the judge send her to a women's prison - but this request was denied.

Vicky had been terrified of going to a men's prison. Reports say that while inside she experienced harassment due to being transgender. All this contributed to her tragic suicide at only 21 years old.

Earlier in November, sentencing of trans woman Tara Hudson provoked outcry and highlighted the vital need for reforms to recognise trans people's genders. See 'Transgender woman locked up in male prison by senseless courts' at socialistparty.org.uk for our coverage.

Sadly, Vicky's death underlines the urgency of this issue.

Oppression

It was announced during Transgender Awareness Week - underlining the huge oppression trans people still face in society. At least 81 transgender people were murdered this year alone, the majority black or minority ethnic.

Trans people are often hit hard by cuts to services - as well as being more likely to face homelessness.

Campaigning to change transphobic attitudes and rules is essential. But this will only fully succeed by reversing the cuts - and fighting for a socialist society, free from capitalism's endless inequalities and crises.

Donate to the Socialist Party

Finance appeal

The coronavirus crisis has laid bare the class character of society in numerous ways. It is making clear to many that it is the working class that keeps society running, not the CEOs of major corporations.

The results of austerity have been graphically demonstrated as public services strain to cope with the crisis.

The government has now ripped up its 'austerity' mantra and turned to policies that not long ago were denounced as socialist. But after the corona crisis, it will try to make the working class pay for it, by trying to claw back what has been given.

The Socialist Party's material is more vital than ever, so we can continue to report from workers who are fighting for better health and safety measures, against layoffs, for adequate staffing levels, etc.
When the health crisis subsides, we must be ready for the stormy events ahead and the need to arm workers' movements with a socialist programme - one which puts the health and needs of humanity before the profits of a few.

Inevitably, during the crisis we have not been able to sell the Socialist and raise funds in the ways we normally would.

We therefore urgently appeal to all our viewers to click here to donate to our Fighting Fund.