Russell T Davies has expressed concerns about the worsening state of gay rights due to the rise of Reform UK and the influence of the Trump presidency on British politics. The acclaimed screenwriter, known for reviving Doctor Who and writing Queer As Folk, believes the gay community should take action against the growing support for Reform, which aims to ban “transgender ideology” in schools.
In an interview with the Big Issue, Davies stated that when Queer As Folk was released in 1999, he and others envisioned a bright future for gay rights. However, he now sees a rapid and urgent decline in these rights. Davies emphasizes that political developments in America often reflect in Britain, and with the possibility of a Reform government, he calls for the gay and queer communities to stand up in resistance.
Reform has made it clear that, if elected, it will ban what it refers to as “transgender ideology” in schools and introduce a “patriotic” education curriculum. Davies sees this as a significant threat to progress in gay rights and calls for the younger generation of the gay community to organize and fight back against the extreme right-wing policies in British politics.
Additionally, Davies believes that Trump’s presidency poses a threat to the gay community and that the former American president would prefer the gay community to be invisible and erased.
Davies’s upcoming Channel 4 series, Tip Toe, will explore the culture wars that have led to homophobia, transphobia, and prejudice. Davies is optimistic about the impact of his show, alongside other notable works like Queer As Folk and It’s A Sin, which he believes will have a lasting legacy.
Note: Reform UK has been invited to provide a comment on these statements.
In previous statements, Davies has emphasized the danger facing the gay community following Trump’s election. He points to an increase in anger and violence towards the gay community and believes that the weaponization of hate speech will have real-life consequences.
Davies also responds to criticism of Doctor Who being “too woke” by affirming the importance of diversity. He sees talk of diversity as simply opening doors to create a more inclusive environment.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/media/2025/aug/11/russell-t-davies-blames-reform-and-trump-for-decline-in-uk-gay-rights
