ARE LCF DOING IT RIGHT?
- INTHENIC
- May 1, 2025
- 4 min read
Updated: Jul 29, 2025
For yourself, a friend, a sister, a mother, an aunt or a stranger, this weeks devastating events following the UK Supreme Courts ruling defining the term “Woman” , has been yet another setback in a society that is so desperately begging for change. It is no longer surprising that this is becoming an ongoing injustice , there is almost no need to gasp at the headlines anymore, but simply shake your head in disgust. To learn how we can support our friends at LCF at this time, read on…
For 83% of LCF students this topic becomes extremely disheartening, as they watch the effect that it has on someone they call a friend. On Saturday April 19th, thousands upon thousands of protestors lit up the streets of London campaigning for change, and the students from LCF did not fall short.
Pictured by Vogue is Mo Rehman, a student at LCF holding a sign that reads “girls just wanna have fundamental human rights.”
The post itself gained traction of almost 80,000 likes, and proudly advocates a voice for those everywhere- but especially for those at UAL.
Whether you have been friends with someone who is transgender your entire life, or you have never met someone who is before; time will never change acting on what is right from wrong. To understand how yet another corrupt legislation continues to belittle a minority, I spoke with my most trusted educator , and personal best friend- Gabi Thompson
“This situation is upsetting for every trans person of course. I can understand that I do ‘pass’ in society, I walk around and people don’t know that I’m trans and that is a privilege. But for others having someone trying to constantly disprove your identity can make your dysphoria ten times worse.”
Following the rather questionable logic of the political departments , there is fear surrounding the talks of the use of public toilet facilities. The idea that transgender individuals should not be able to use these facilities as the gender they identify as, a hidden agenda to blame the community for the indecency of others.
“LCF has kept the toilets a unisex space , a private space. They’ve done a good job of making us feel safe in a space that we should feel safe- everybody wants to feel comfortable. The public view trans women as men in dresses, they don't think about the likes of the 6”3 trans men who with this logic would be entering their space, also feeling uncomfortable?”
94% of students said they too felt comfortable using the LCF toilets, with 88% claiming they are inclusive to everyone.
With the East Bank campus opening in the autumn term of 2023, it is unknown what the real reason behind the design of these facilities were. We can imagine this could be to cut capital of the already costly building by incorporating one inclusive space, or we can hope that maybe the safety, privacy and comfortability of all students was considered more so. UAL knows that a large percentage of their alumini is excluded in some forms of our society, and therefore would want to adapt previous campuses to build a safe and welcoming new space.
Hair and Makeup student Dominie Duncombe describes her fears surrounding using public facilities,
“I always use the women’s bathroom, but I get anxious and you know , uncertain. I’m worried that I’m going to make other people feel anxious and that is not what I want to happen. Everything right now just feels completely exclusionary and feels as if they’re just trying to eradicate the existence of trans people in public. When it comes to these situations I have to prove to these people that I am a woman. It’s a very scary time.”
Do you think LCF has the right idea? Do you think public spaces should incorporate more inclusive facilities for our growing society?
An anonymous partaker added:
“It's made us regress as a country. It's shameful that a percentage of the population are threatened by people's existence and because of that they think it's justified to contest against their human rights.”
Dominie discussed with me how additional support from LCF could be beneficial from its lecturers, and how with frequent check-in’s trans students would feel a lot more supported, to say something is better than nothing.
How can we support our friends at this time? How can we be sure we are doing enough? How can we be heard?
Well, here is Gabi’s suggestion on how we could contribute:
Check how your trans friends are , see how they feel
Act on something, your voice as someone who isn’t trans is so powerful right now
Campaign, sign petitions, raise awareness. We need people to talk so people will hear
So, for yourself, a friend, a sister, a mother, an aunt or a stranger, give your voice a platform and contribute to change. 88% of students already vouch to support and encourage our trans community at this time, there is always a chance to support our friends- especially now.
“The only thing we can do in a time like this is stick together, and find solidarity in knowing that we will be okay. Regardless of what happens, we will always exist as trans people, and no Supreme Court ruling can change that.”
Links to support:
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