Wes Streeting Faces Backlash Over Comments on Trans Rights Concerns

Health Secretary Wes Streeting has landed himself in hot water after telling someone concerned about government policies affecting transgender and disabled communities, "get a grip." This comment didn't sit well with a lot, sparking widespread criticism.

The uproar started when Streeting replied on Instagram on March 21st. The post lashed out at some government moves, particularly targeting issues around transgender rights and benefits like Personal Independence Payment, which many disabled folks rely on. The Labour party's proposed welfare changes were at center stage, and Streeting's response stirred up quite a storm.

Streeting's response and backlash

So here's what happened: A social media user accused Streeting, Labour MP from Ilford North, saying he's "attacking disabled people" because he decided not just yet on lifting a ban on access puberty blockers. The comment was sharp: "I will never vote Labour again because you. Shame on you, Wes." It didn't take long before everyone was talking about it. Streeting did try defending himself, mentioning how they're opening new gender identity clinics and adding £86 million more in disabled facility grants. But that "get a grip" line? That was like adding fuel on a fire.

Plans To Expand Gender Services

The government says they've got big plans—six new regional gender centers are in works, meant under-18s needing gender-affirming care. These centers should up and running by 2026, following Cass Report's advice after London's Tavistock and Portman's clinic shut. Dr. HilcCass, known pediatrics, says these new hubs should take a more "holistic" care route. Not everyone agrees, though. Some who worked at Tavistock call plans a "shoddy, disorganized, messy" transition.

Streeting, stepping away from his former stance that "trans women are women," seems pleased with how these new hubs are shaping up.

Public reaction and social media outcry

Streeting's "get a grip" remark didn't go over well on Instagram—lots called it "extremely unprofessional." One said, "You serve people, and you think this how you talk when they voice real concerns?" and went on, "You're pathetic." More reactions accused him worsening trans people's issues, especially kids: "You've made lives trans people, especially trans kids, materially worse." Clearly, people aren't happy.

Ongoing debates about gender and data collection

This whole controversy comes after Streeting backed an independent review on how UK's gender data collected. Led by Alice Sullivan, a sociology professor linked with gender-critical group Sex Matters, review suggests prioritizing "biological sex" in data collection stop a "widespread loss data on sex." LGBTQ+ groups aren't on board, though. They, alongside not-for-profits, are questioning these findings urging government scrap them. TransActual and Feminist Gender Equality Network in joint statement stressed, "Data must reflect people's lived realities," advocating inclusion both gender and assigned sex birth data collection.

Despite all this, Streeting's sticking by review's conclusions, emphasizing need accurately record biological sex.

While controversy stirs pot, Streeting's office hasn't yet commented further on backlash he's facing.