Probably the largest survey into the numbers of people identifying as lesbian, gay or bisexual was carried out in the United States and it concluded that at least 6.25 per cent of the population are in some way LGB. There are no such authoritative figures for trans people and although one per cent is often used, it is little more than an estimate. My own research, which is producing a projection rather than an estimate, suggests that at least 1.4 per cent of the population are trans in some way.

So it is probably safe to assume that in reality eight per cent of the population is LGBT, maybe more, and when you factor in parents, siblings, partners, children and other relatives there is a sizeable number of people who are affected by policies in this area.

This Wednesday’s event, hosted by Progress in conjunction with LGBT Labour, was broad in its reach and discussed a wide variety of issues linking the disproportionate effects of austerity on LGBT people: the high suicide risk, public services, women’s representation in government, equal marriage in Northern Ireland and specific issues relating to trans people. The panel consisted of Gloria De Piero; Chris Oxlade, Labour PPC for Crawley; Tom Burke, co-chair of LGBT Labour; Finn McGoldrick, NUS LGBT Officer and Sarah Garett, managing director of Square Peg Media.

One of the stand out ideas of the evening, and one that appears to sum up the approach the next Labour government is likely to take in all areas, was the idea that rather than politicians telling people what they want, they should be asking people to tell them what they need. This was particularly relevant to issues relating to women and trans people, but also to those LGBT people who have suffered cuts in services because of the Tories’ austerity policies.

By coincidence the trans manifesto for the 2015 election, released the following day, calls for empowerment of trans people, and this theme appears to be developing throughout the Labour party’s election manifesto. Empowerment represents the way forward, whether that means aiming to increase the number of lesbians and trans people in parliament and local government, enabling parents to protect their children against transphobic or homophobic bullying in school, or local people telling local councils and the NHS what their needs are; encouraging, enabling and empowering people to self-organise should be a major theme of what Labour is striving to achieve.

Of course these ideas on their own will not be enough and there was particular condemnation expressed for the media, which still considers people’s sexuality and gender identity news, which results in LGBT people thinking twice about getting involved in politics on a local and national level.

There are other issues that need to be taken up at a national level however, such as making fertility treatments available for LGBT people without discrimination, adoption and fostering, and ensuring that sex and relationship education in schools includes LGBT people. Ensuring that LGBT people have access to employment tribunals is something that, unless individuals have £1200 available up front, means that homophobic and transphobic discrimination at work becomes easier for employers to get away with.

Eight per cent of the UK population is around five million people. It is clear that there is a great deal in Labour’s general approach, specifically in terms of empowering individuals and groups, that can help LGBT people specifically; however, there are also other issues that need addressing at a national level. That is why we need Labour to win a majority in 2015.

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Natacha Kennedy is a trans rights activist and Labour party member

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Natacha Kennedy chaired Progress’s event held in conjunction with LGBT Labour as part of the Campaign for a Labour Majority series. Highlights from the event are available here.

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Photo: torkbakhopper