Trans rights Gen Z used as 'political footballs', say activists

'Politics is unavoidable" for the transgender and non-binary young adults Oscar Hoyle works with, he says. Many of them will be voting on Thursday for the first time.

- Libby Brooks

"They're forced to engage from a young age because they're scared about their future." Hoyle runs Blossom, a nationwide support service for LGBTQ+ members of gen Z, whose experiences and challenges have been described as "political footballs" in the run-up to the election. "This is their first or second election and all feel absolutely hopeless about both the major parties," said Hoyle.

"For the first time, young people I've spoken to are considering voting for the Lib Dems, because they are openly supportive, as well as the Greens. But I also know a lot are planning to spoil their ballots." While questions about transrelated issues have threaded through the campaign - with party leaders repeatedly asked to define what it means to be a woman and give their stance on women-only spaces in the past few days there has been even more focus.