Russell T Davies Warns of Declining UK Gay Rights Amid Rise of Reform UK and Trump Influence

Published: 11 August 2025. The English Chronicle Online

Renowned screenwriter Russell T Davies, celebrated for reviving Doctor Who and creating Queer As Folk, has voiced deep concern over the rapid deterioration of gay rights in the UK, attributing much of the setback to the growing influence of the Reform UK party and the political legacy of former US President Donald Trump. Speaking candidly about the challenges facing the LGBT community today, Davies called for urgent activism and resistance against what he sees as an alarming rise in conservative and exclusionary ideologies.

Davies reflected on the optimistic vision once held for LGBT rights when Queer As Folk first aired in 1999. “If you’d said, ‘What will gay rights be like in 2025?’ we’d have said, ‘It’ll be marvellous — sunshine and skipping down the street, hand in hand,’” he recalled. Yet, despite early progress, he warned that the current trajectory shows the community is facing mounting threats and setbacks.

Central to his concerns is Reform UK, a party that has pledged to ban “transgender ideology” in schools within its first 100 days if it gains power. Their manifesto includes controversial education policies promoting a “patriotic” curriculum, tax relief for private schools, and cuts to university funding perceived as undermining free speech. Reform also intends to overhaul the Equality Act and dismantle diversity and inclusion initiatives. For Davies, these policies represent a direct assault on the rights and dignity of LGBT individuals.

Highlighting the transatlantic connection, Davies argued that political developments in the US heavily influence British politics. He criticized Trump’s role, stating that the former president was “literally out to get us” and would prefer the LGBT community to be “invisible and gone.” He described Trump’s approach as an attempt to erase queer identities and impose heteronormativity.

In response to these mounting challenges, Davies urged the younger generation of LGBT people to organize and resist the growing tide of homophobia and transphobia. “I hope they’re prepared to fight,” he said. “A fight is coming.” This call to action is echoed in his forthcoming Channel 4 series, Tip Toe, which explores the culture wars and the resurgence of prejudice affecting the LGBTQ+ community today. The show is described as radical, sharp, and infused with humor, continuing Davies’s legacy of tackling difficult social issues through his storytelling.

Davies, now 61, also reflected on the personal impact of this political climate. He recounted a palpable increase in hostility and hate speech following Trump’s election, emphasizing the seriousness of the current moment for gay society. He dismissed accusations that his work on Doctor Who is overly focused on diversity or “wokeness,” asserting that embracing diversity is simply about keeping doors open for everyone.

As the debate around LGBT rights intensifies in the UK, Russell T Davies’s outspoken stance underscores the urgency felt by many within the community. His blend of cultural influence and activism highlights a crucial crossroads where art, politics, and social justice intersect in the ongoing fight for equality.