Green Party leader Zack Polanski has spoken to NME about the importance of educating people about trans rights, creating more “safe spaces” for the LGBTQ+ community, and rejecting the notions pushed by the “right wing that seek to divide us and distract us”.
READ MORE: Here’s what went down at the ‘Trans Mission’ Wembley gig, with Wolf Alice, Adam Lambert and more
The head of the progressive left-wing party caught up with us backstage at the ‘Trans Mission’ show at Wembley Arena on Wednesday (March 11), which raised awareness and funds for trans-rights charities Good Law Project and Not A Phase.
He was part of the stacked line-up for the night, which included performances from Wolf Alice, Adam Lambert, Beth Ditto, Sugababes, Olly Alexander, HAAi, Jasmine.4.T, Kae Tempest, Kate Nash, MNEK, Romy, Sophie Ellis-Bextor and more, as well as guest appearances from the likes of Sir Ian McKellen, Jordan Stephens, Munroe Bergdorf and Nicola Coughlan.
Taking to the stage, Polanski delivered an impassioned speech about the importance of sticking together amid political division, and called for people to speak out against attempts to villainise the trans community.
“Tonight we are here saying ‘We will not be blamed, we will not be distracted,’” he told the crowd at Wembley. “As a gay man, I know that when they come for one of us, they come for all of us. We will all stand together.”
Ahead of the appearance, the Green Party leader told NME why he wanted to take part in the event, and explained the importance of everyone speaking out in support of marginalised groups.
“ It’s so important to be here tonight because solidarity looks like turning up. It looks like speaking out, and it looks like celebrating trans joy,” he said. “Trans people right now are just trying to survive, and that’s the minimum barrier. Actually, what we need to be doing is celebrating trans people, amplifying them, and making sure we’re listening to them.”
Adding that he “really hopes to see more events like this” in the future, which work to educate, celebrate and raise money for the LGBTQ+ community, Polanski added that there are countless other ways of showing support, both in day-to-day settings and in parliament
“There are lots of ways that people can be allies to trans people,” he said. “First of all, making sure that we’re educating people around us who aren’t trans. Second, by always listening to trans people and making sure that, when there’s policy making processes, that they’re part of the co-design. That means they’re at the table from the very beginning, helping with the policy rather than asked about it at the end.”
The party leader said that he was most looking forward to seeing Beverley Knight perform on the night (because “she is everything”), as well as Kae Tempest – who he praised as being able to capture the feeling of “connection” and tell “really compelling stories that are powerful and political”. Polanski also offered words of advice for those who feel reluctant to use their voice be an ally to trans people.
“I think if people are nervous about speaking out, it’s really important to have this safe space so people know they’re not alone,” he said.
“There are thousands, if not millions of people in this country who just want people to be able to pee in peace, to get basic healthcare and actually to be the person who they want.”
Sophie Ellis-Bextor at Trans Mission, Wembley. CREDIT: @robynskinner7
He continued: “Far too often we have a right wing media that seeks to divide us, distract us, and claim that trans people are our problems. People know that’s not true, so it’s really important that those with a microphone, no matter what we do, keep speaking out in trans solidarity and point out that the problems in this country are not caused by people who are just trying to live their lives.”
The Trans Mission gig was co-designed by Years & Years’ Olly Alexander and Glyn Fussell from Mighty Hoopla, and designed as a “statement that trans people are loved, valued, and celebrated, and that the entertainment industry stands proudly with them”.
As well as the invigorated speech from Polanski on the night, other memorable moments came from Sir Ian McKellen, who recited Shakespeare’s politically-charged The Strangers’ Case speech from Thomas More to the crowd, and from author Caroline Litman, who got a standing ovation after sharing an emotive tribute to her transgender daughter, who took her own life.
Find out more about what went down at the show here.
Green Party leader Zack Polanski in Parliament square (Photo by Guy Smallman/Getty Images)
The latest interview with NME comes following Polanski sitting down with us at the start of the year, and discussing impact of Brexit on touring artists, the growing struggle for rising talent in the UK to make ends meet, and more.
“There are some really deep-seated problems,” he told NME. “So it’s a mixed reaction to the despair at the state in which people are living and what governments have allowed to happen, but also hope to see the Green Party to be the real alternative and to see so many people join for the first time.”
Polanski added: “In 2026, I hope there will be more light, peace and hope – but that can only happen if we look into the darkness, the fear, and the anger. Art is one of the most powerful ways you can do that, and if you don’t have art occupying that space then it does create this vacuum for demagogues and narcissists to be able to project an image of who we are that isn’t true; but then there’s no counterculture to be able to challenge that idea.”
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