International Transgender Day of Visibility 2023: A View From The Trenches

International Transgender Day of Visibility (31 March) was created in 2009 as a way of raising the profile of the trans community and celebrating its achievements. Almost 15 years on, the initial purpose of the day has evolved to provide an opportunity to focus on the areas where work is still required and where cisgender (non-trans) people can be allies to the trans and non-binary community.

Whilst it is important to embrace trans joy, the reality is that the future as a trans person in 2023 can seem bleak. Trans people (and LGBTQ+ people as a whole) disproportionately experience poor mental health compared to the wider population, predominantly as a consequence of societal prejudice and the difficulties of navigating a world which is still not inclusive of gender diversity.

On this basis, it is all the more important that firms take active steps to support their trans colleagues, clients and the wider community to create a safe microcosm for people to be themselves in an increasingly hostile world.

Research has shown that people who know someone who is trans are twice as likely to be allies, so the best way to sympathise with the plight of the trans community and to understand our experiences is to listen to trans voices.

Reading recommendations include:

• Trans Writes

• Trans Safety Network

• TransActual Trans Lives Survey 2021

• Stonewall TRANSforming Futures Reports

• The Transgender Issue: An Argument for Justice by Shon Faye

• The Hidden Case of Ewan Forbes by Zoë Playdon (book review)

Trans and non-binary people are often accused of hyperbole when making reference to the community's rights being under threat. What follows is a list of current attacks on the trans community from the perspective of a trans person living in the UK.

• Gender Identity Clinic waiting times for a first appointment are as long as 4 years

• 80% of GPs refuse to prescribe bridging hormones to improve mental health before Gender Identity Clinic appointments begin 

• Almost half of trans people have contemplated taking their own life  

• Waiting lists for surgery are years long  

• Puberty blockers (wrongly) prohibited for under 16s

• Gender Recognition Act 2004 reform substantially abandoned, despite the majority of consultation responses and experts being in favour

• Gender Recognition Reform Bill in Scotland blocked by Westminster Parliament

• Attacks on single sex services for being trans inclusive (Rape Crisis Scotland)  

• 1 in 3 employers “less likely” to hire a trans person  

• Transgender participants banned from elite sports  

• Daily media attacks with headlines such as “Children sacrificed to appease trans lobby”  

• Hate crimes against transgender people increased by 56% in a year  

• Social attitudes are hardening against trans people  

• 25% of trans people have experienced homelessness  

• Cisgender celebrities organising and funding activism against the trans community  

• Institutionalised homophobia and transphobia in the Met Police  

• Campaigns against LGBT-inclusive relationship and sex education in schools  

• Anti-trans policy in schools  

• Nazis attend rally in support of British anti-trans activist Kellie-Jay Keen/Posie Parker

• Anti-trans activists launching a political party  

• Equality and Human Rights Commission interference by its anti-trans head Kishwer Falkner  

• Transphobia in the Labour Party  

• Sir Keir Starmer advised to renege on pro-trans commitments or lose the next election  

• Lee Anderson indicates trans rights will be a culture war issue for the Conservative Party  

• Anti-trans charity LGB Alliance has offices at 55 Tufton Street  

• Kemi Badenoch directs organisations including the Financial Conduct Authority to remove trans-inclusive guidance  

• Trans people inadequately protected from conversion therapy 

There is still cause to be hopeful - history has shown that the progress of civil rights movements is seldom linear. However, the support and advocacy of trans allies, guided by the trans and non-binary community, is critical. Three tangible things that you can do as an ally are:

• Listen to and amplify trans voices

• Educate yourself on issues affecting the trans and non-binary community

• Challenge transphobia when you see it

Most importantly, take part in conversations with the people around you and advocate for trans and non-binary people.

“If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor. If an elephant has its foot on the tail of a mouse, and you say that you are neutral, the mouse will not appreciate your neutrality.” - Desmond Tutu

Luke Williams (he/him/his) is the Global Member Relationship Manager at LGBT Great.  

Luke is responsible for forging relationships with new LGBT Great members and facilitating discussion and best practice sharing within the corporate member community. He is a trans man and non-practising solicitor, and the current Chair of the Law Society’s LGBTQ+ Solicitors Network. Please feel free to contact Luke at luke@lgbtgreat.com or add him on LinkedIn.