Parents advocating for the rights of LGBTQIA+ children express deep concerns at a rally in the UK Parliament, urging MPs to address the pressing issues faced by queer youth amidst changing policies.
Parents advocating for the rights of LGBTQ+ children congregated at the UK Parliament this week to voice their concerns regarding the growing challenges faced by queer youth in the current climate. The gathering was spearheaded by five volunteers from Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (FFLAG), an organisation dedicated to supporting families of LGBTQ+ people. The meeting aimed to engage Members of Parliament on urgent issues affecting their children.
Sarah Furley, the chairwoman of FFLAG, expressed the group’s dismay at needing to lobby Parliament once again for their children’s rights and dignity. “We had hoped the days of needing to lobby Parliament for the rights and dignity of our children had passed, but sadly here we are again,” she stated, highlighting the sense of alarm among parents regarding the recent shifts in policy. Furley emphasised the deep fears of parents amid these changes, asserting, “Our parents are scared of what is now happening, and we will not stand quietly by as new barriers are put in the way of our children’s happiness, health, and success.”
Among the key issues raised during the meeting were controversial education policies introduced by the former Conservative government which, FFLAG argued, would rollback rights for LGBTQ+ students in UK schools. These included a draft guidance that suggested that gender-questioning children should be ‘outed’ to their parents—a move that FFLAG warned would “destroy trust, and only do harm to both child and parent.” The group labelled the guidance as “bad”, continuing to assert that such policies risked endangering the emotional and psychological welfare of children grappling with their identities.
Additionally, FFLAG called for the new Labour government to revoke a nationwide ban on puberty blockers for trans youth. The group referred to recent changes in Relationships, Sex, and Health Education (RSHE) as the “equivalent of a new Section 28”, a reference to the former legislation that prohibited discussions about homosexuality in schools for over ten years.
In tandem with these educational policy concerns, recent statistics from YouGov indicated a troubling decrease in support for trans rights across the UK. The data revealed that only 37% of women supported the legal right for trans individuals to change their gender in 2023, a decline from 44% in the previous year. Acceptance was also found to be declining in younger demographics, where merely 50% of those aged 18-24 supported the legal changes. The findings also highlighted a significant rise in opposition towards gender-affirming healthcare and discussions around gender identity.
Notably, the survey reported that many people opposed governmental support for trans healthcare through the National Health Service, with 57% against funding such care. In terms of youth health interventions, a staggering 75% of respondents opposed puberty blockers for individuals younger than 16, while 78% objected to hormone treatments for minors. This portion of the survey also revealed public sentiment against trans women competing in women’s sports, with 74% of respondents advocating for their exclusion.
In light of the heightened tensions and growing hostility towards trans rights, FFLAG has adapted its mission to provide support for parents of trans children, who now constitute the majority of families participating in their meetings. Initially focused on campaigning, the organisation has redirected its efforts towards direct family support. However, in response to increasing societal challenges, FFLAG has been compelled to re-engage in advocacy to counter the negative shifts impacting LGBTQ+ youth. The group remains committed to ensuring that the voices of families with LGBTQ+ children are heard in parliament and beyond.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.petertatchellfoundation.org/why-lgbt-rights-are-threatened-around-the-world-in-2025/ – This article highlights the global challenges faced by LGBT+ communities, including political repression and cultural conservatism, which are relevant to the socio-political climate affecting LGBTQIA+ youth in the UK.
- https://www.studentpride.co.uk – National Student Pride is an event that supports LGBTQIA+ students, reflecting the broader efforts to address the challenges faced by queer youth in educational settings.
- https://lgbtplushistorymonth.co.uk/lgbt-history-month-2025/ – LGBT+ History Month emphasizes the importance of activism and social change, which aligns with the advocacy efforts of groups like FFLAG in supporting LGBTQIA+ rights.
- https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-63254663 – This BBC article discusses recent UK political developments and their impact on social policies, including those affecting LGBTQIA+ communities.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative references recent policy changes and surveys from 2023, indicating it is relatively current. However, without specific dates for the meeting or the exact timing of policy changes, it’s difficult to assess its absolute freshness.
Quotes check
Score:
6
Notes:
The quote from Sarah Furley does not appear to be widely available online, suggesting it might be original or recent. However, without further context or earlier references, it’s challenging to confirm its originality.
Source reliability
Score:
7
Notes:
The narrative originates from a reputable LGBTQIA+ news source, which generally provides reliable coverage of LGBTQIA+ issues. However, the reliability could be enhanced with additional mainstream sources or primary data.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
The claims about policy changes and public sentiment are plausible given the current socio-political climate. The narrative aligns with known challenges faced by LGBTQIA+ communities in the UK.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative appears to be relatively fresh, with plausible claims about current policy issues and public sentiment. While the source is generally reliable, additional mainstream sources could enhance credibility. The quotes seem original, but further verification is needed.
