LGBTQ+ voices come ‘together.’ in support for trans people

Over 50 LGBTQ+ organisations and allies have joined together for the first time to change the way trans and non-binary lives are being represented in the UK.

The LGBT Foundation, which is based in Greater Manchester, and regularly delivers services and activity in Rochdale, has co-ordinated the ‘together.’ campaign with four other UK organisations representing the LGBTQ+ population (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and others).

The foundation says, amidst continued hostility and misrepresentation of trans people, including non-binary and gender diverse people, the groundbreaking ‘together.’ campaign steps away from division and focuses on the common principles of freedom, dignity and safety for all.

Helen Belcher, Chair of TransActual CIC, one of over 40 organisations supporting the campaign, said: “Trans communities have been subjected to malicious attacks from powerful public voices, seeking to divide trans people from society and frighten allies into silence.

“I welcome the together campaign as a powerful way to show that trans and non-binary people are, first and foremost, people.”

Transgender is a broad term to refer to people who identify to a different gender than assigned at birth. For example, if you were born female and identify as female, this is known as cisgender (or cis). Trans refers to anyone who isn’t cis and is inclusive of a range of identities such as trans woman and trans man. Some people who cross dress will also identify as trans.

Non-binary people may identify as both male and female or neither male nor female. They may feel their gender is fluid, can change and fluctuate, or perhaps they permanently don’t identify with one particular gender. The range of language and labels used within non-binary communities means that non-binary has become an inclusive umbrella term, says the LGBT Foundation.

Due to this, some people prefer to use gender-neutral pronouns, such as they/them when referred to in the third person, rather than she/her, or he/him, which respectively indicate female and male gender.

You can read more about non-binary inclusion and preferred pronouns here:

• lgbt.foundation/who-we-help/trans-people/non-binary

In recent weeks, The British Medical association backed the right of transgender people to affirm their true gender without a medical process; a UK employment tribunal ruled that non-binary and gender fluid people are protected under the Equality Act and the TUC passed a motion stating that the misrepresentation of trans rights as a threat to women and children is ‘reminiscent of homophobic lies of the past’.

Despite this progression, trans people still face discrimination, with over a third having experienced verbal harassment (37%), been discriminated against when visiting a café (34%) and even leaving a job because of an unwelcoming environment (36%).

Shockingly, 64% of trans pupils have experienced transphobic bullying in school and 40% of trans people have experienced at least one negative experience when accessing or trying to access public healthcare services.

Trans people of colour/BAME trans people, trans bi people, trans disabled people and trans people living in poverty are even more likely to have these poor experiences, says the LGBT Foundation.

‘together.’ has been designed to make public spaces safe for all, make communities safe for everyone, ensure everyone has a safe place to call home, make sure everyone has dignity at work, help everyone to know they are loved and accepted and protect all children from harm.

The campaign site also offers easy and practical ways to help build a better future for trans and non-binary communities across the UK.

The www.togetherlgbt.com campaign hub offers everything you need to know about the ‘together.’ partnership, and helps individuals and organisations wishing to declare their support.