We asked both Adrian, Ellie and Zack for their answers. Adrian & Ellie, as a joint ticket, will be answering their pledges together. Zack will answer his pledges as a solo candidate.
Pledge 1
To acknowledge wholeheartedly that fighting for LGBTIQA+ liberation goes hand in hand with fighting the climate crisis.
Each candidate replied:
Ellie Chowns & Adrian Ramsay
Yes. We’re proud that the Green Party has always been strongly committed to the rights of LGBTIQA+ people and other oppressed groups. Social and environmental justice go hand in hand.
Zack Polanski
Yes. Our LGBTIQA+ siblings often face even deeper inequalities from the climate crisis. Both through fighting fossil fuel barons or anti-lgbtiqa+ hate, it’s the same systems of violence and exploitation that we must oppose.
We scored Ellie & Adrian 1 point for their answer. Ellie and Adrian clearly understand that fighting for LGBTIQA+ rights goes hand in hand with fighting the climate crisis.
We scored Zack 1 point for his answer. Zack really understands that fighting for LGBTIQA+ rights goes hand in hand with fighting the climate crisis, because disadvantaged people within society always lose out, sometimes more so, than those who aren’t, in a world where things are bad for society.
Pledge 2
To support and promote Green Party of England & Wales policy on LGBTIQA+ rights (including RR500 – RR539).
Each candidate replied:
Ellie Chowns & Adrian Ramsay
We support our party’s policies as written that uphold the rights of LGBTIQA+ people, including the right for people to be able to self-determine their gender. We believe the current interim ECHR guidance was rushed and very restrictive, and clearly did not properly consider the impact on trans people’s lives. We also recognise that gender and biological sex are not the same thing and that the law does need to allow for some circumstances where services may need to be provided on a biological-sex basis, such as domestic violence refuges, prisons and some sports. Decisions on such provision need to be made based on evidence and listening to the experience of all those impacted, and in a way that ensures everyone has access to services that meet their needs.
Zack Polanski
Yes, absolutely. In a world of increasing hate towards minorities particularly through the right wing press, it’s important we stand firm on policies like Self ID.
We scored Ellie & Adrian 0 points for their answer. You don’t get to pick and choose when people can be allowed their rights. “Biological sex” has long been something transphobes have used to discuss trans rights, and is often used to dismiss our rights to be treat with dignity, often in our lowest points, such as if we’re in the criminal justice system, or desperately in need of support.
We scored Zack 1 point for his answer. Zack really understands that a key part to standing up for minority, as well as LGBTIQA+, rights is to allow for more self-expression and self-determination, not less.
Pledge 3
To work with LGBTIQA+ Greens to deepen and extend the party’s support for and policies on LGBTIQA+ rights.
Each candidate replied:
Ellie Chowns & Adrian Ramsay
Yes. We appreciate the valuable work of this group and the insights from lived experience that it brings to the party’s policies, and would want to work with it going forward.
Zack Polanski
Yes absolutely. Nothing about us without us. We should always make sure those with lived experience are the ones who are leading the conversation – and the leadership role is partly to amplify those voices. This is becoming increasingly necessary, for instance, in light of the government’s guidelines to teachers which are awfully reminiscent of the dark days of Section 28.
We scored Ellie & Adrian 1 point for their answer. Ellie and Adrian are right in that we do valuable work, and provide much needed insights that stem from lived experience. Their answer is affirmative and we give full credit for that.
We scored Zack 1 point for his answer. Zack really understands the stakes, especially with his comment about the dark days of Section 28. We must absolutely make sure that there is no return to those days, and Zack seems committed to helping fight that.
Pledge 4
To work with LGBTIQA+ Greens to improve GPEW policy on trans healthcare (RR532-RR534) to provide fully funded and much-needed support to all trans people, to end segregated healthcare and to support appropriate healthcare for trans youth based on informed consent, Gillick competency and internationally recognised best practice.
Each candidate replied:
Ellie Chowns & Adrian Ramsay
It’s vital for trans people to be provided with the healthcare they need in a way that respects their dignity, and for the voices of trans youth to be listened to in respect of the healthcare they need. We would follow the latest professional guidance on ensuring that trans and gender-questioning people receive access to the range of healthcare support needed in a way that avoids long delays and meets their needs in the round – and in the case of young people ensures that treatments offered address their needs and safeguards their interests.
Zack Polanski
Yes. We know Wes Streeting is determined to remove needed protections and access to healthcare. We must make sure that we are always working to improve our policy and the ways in which we communicate it – to push back at this increasingly regressive labour government.
We gave Ellie & Adrian 0 points for their answer. They were so close, however their final sentence, particularly with “safeguarding their interests” around trans kids seems a little both-sides-y and seems to err on the side of continuing a culture of gatekeeping for trans youth.
We gave Zack 1 point for his answer. It’s incredibly heartening to hear Zack really understand the issues that are starting to plague trans people within healthcare environments, especially within the context of the political attacks on transgender healthcare.
Pledge 5
To support LGBTIQA+ Greens to make further gains in ensuring GPEW provides a welcoming, safe and nourishing environment for LGBTIQA+ members.
Each candidate replied:
Ellie Chowns & Adrian Ramsay
Yes. Our party should be a welcoming home to people of all oppressed groups.
Zack Polanski
Yes, absolutely. Our party must be a safe space for all marginalised people – and i’m committed to always working towards making it a more welcoming space for LGBTIQA+ people.
We gave Ellie & Adrian 1 point for their answer. We agree that the party should be feel like home to everyone, of all oppressed groups.
We gave Zack 1 point for his answer. Zack’s answer is great here. We should make the party more welcoming for everyone of all walks of life.
Pledge 6
In light of the recent Supreme Court ruling, to work with LGBTIQA+ Greens and wider queer society, organisations and allies to campaign to protect previously established trans rights and for any changes to legislation which might be needed to ensure this protection.
Each candidate replied:
Ellie Chowns & Adrian Ramsay
Yes. We are concerned that the Supreme Court ruling is being interpreted – by the EHRC, in particular – in an insensitive and over-reaching way that impacts on the dignity and rights of trans people, and that has created real problems for many service providers. We would want to work with LGBTIQA+ Greens and other relevant organisations to stop this leading to the erosion of trans rights.
Zack Polanski
Yes. When Keir Starmer said he respects this judgment and that is now his view – that’s a complete misunderstanding/distraction from the point of the Supreme Court. We must push within parliament – and as a party more broadly in society to establish rights for trans people. We need to recognise that sadly liberation is not always linear. At the moment we are being pushed back – it’s not just a case of not gaining ground but facing a worsening discussion that makes us all less secure and less safe. We must stand resolute, determined in this moment and support our trans siblings unconditionally – there is light but we’re going to have to fight for it by turning up and refusing to be silent.
We gave Ellie & Adrian 1 point for their answer. Ellie & Adrian clearly seem to understand that the Supreme Court ruling is being very much mis-interpreted by people for their own ends. We must give them credit for this in the vacuum of their pledge response.
We gave Zack 1 point for his answer. Zack really understands the fight on our hands regarding trans rights and the recent Supreme Court ruling. Zack’s answer states that he won’t be silent when our rights are being taken, and we’re happy to keep watch and help him do that.
Pledge 7
To fight for reform of the Gender Recognition Act to provide a kinder and less bureaucratic process for recognising trans people’s gender in law.
Each candidate replied:
Ellie Chowns & Adrian Ramsay
Yes – we believe that LGBTIQA+ people should not be faced with unnecessary bureaucratic obstacles to legal recognition of their gender identity.
Zack Polanski
Yes. Again it will require organising, focus and determination – we have all the qualities. Just need to keep it up.
We gave Ellie & Adrian 1 point for their answer. Ellie & Adrian clearly. seem to understand that bureaucracy when it comes to being recognised in terms of your gender identity can be deeply upsetting for people across the gender spectrum.
We gave Zack 1 point for his answer. Zack understands that for any change to be made, we need to start organising and focussing on the task at hand and we can hope we can rely on him for any help in doing so.
Pledge 8
To support efforts to increase the number of LGBTIQA+ candidates for election to internal positions and to public office.
Each candidate replied:
Ellie Chowns & Adrian Ramsay
Yes. We believe that the Green Party should fully reflect the diversity of our society.
Zack Polanski
Yes. It’s really important that we have diversity amongst both our elected representatives and those running for positions.
We gave Ellie & Adrian 1 point for their answer. Ellie & Adrian understands that those elected to positions of power should represent the wide tapestry of diversity in this country and the Green Party.
We gave Zack 1 point for his answer. Zack really understands the importance of people within marginalised parts of society to be part of the executive and be part of the legislature. “Nothing about us without us” was something he mentioned above and this feels like a logical extension to that.
Pledge 9
To campaign for this government to bring forward a genuine ban on conversion therapy. Conversion therapy includes medical, psychiatric, psychological, religious, cultural or any other interventions that seek to change, “cure”, or suppress the sexual orientation and/or gender identity of a person. Any ban must protect all LGBTIQA+ people, which includes providing genuine protection for trans people.
Each candidate replied:
Ellie Chowns & Adrian Ramsay
Yes, we are wholly opposed to conversion therapy that treats sexual orientation or gender identity as a disease to be “cured”.
Zack Polanski
Yes. Conversion therapy is horrific and barbaric – and should be treated as such. It has no place in a civilised society.
We gave Ellie & Adrian 1 point for their answer. Their answer is affirmative of the pledge.
We gave Zack 1 point for his answer. Zack’s answer here is great and affirms the pledge, we have no notes here.
Pledge 10
To stand in solidarity with LGBTIQA+ communities worldwide by working with international Green parties to oppose anti-LGBTIQA+ legislation and to promote global human rights and liberation.
Each candidate replied:
Ellie Chowns & Adrian Ramsay
Yes. We are very aware that LGBTIQA+ rights are under attack in many countries around the world, and that our international sister parties are in the forefront of resistance to such attacks.
Zack Polanski
Our politics must always be a politics of compassion and solidarity – and that of course reaches across international borders.
We gave Ellie & Adrian 1 point for their answer. Their answer affirms the pledge and they understand that LGBTIQA+ rights are under attack globally and that we must work together to prevent this becoming worse.
We gave Zack 1 point for his answer. Although he didn’t explicitly say “Yes” (and there was never any requirement to do so explicitly!) his answer is absolutely affirming the pledge we have put to him.
Overall Scores
For each candidate we have either given them one or zero points for their answers to their questions, and their final scores and what we think for each candidate are below:
Ellie Chowns & Adrian Ramsay
8/10
Ellie and Adrian’s answers fall slightly short of the mark. They talk about “biological sex” and state reasons why trans people may not be deemed their gender identity… which is inherently unfair and risks eroding our rights and our dignity. They also mention about “safeguarding [their] interests” of trans youth, which sounds like they want to keep the concept of gatekeeping for transgender youth.
Zack Polanski
10/10
Zack responded to our pledges and did so with an affirmative response to all of our pledges. Unlike Ellie and Adrian, he did not feel the need to talk about anything other than pure, unquestionable support for all parts of the LGBTIQA+ spectrum. Zack fundamentally gets, and understands the reasons why our pledges exist when he can answer them with an affirmative, and clear, response.
If you have any questions or concerns about the scores we provided on this page, please feel free to contact us. We’re always happy to listen to feedback for future pledges and hustings processes.