Your History Is Mine

When you think of LGBTQ+ history, what springs to mind? Is it a particular person? A moment in time? It’s the first and one of the longest events of the queer calendar year…and perhaps one that is more likely to reach mainstream audiences than others. It’s a chance to learn about our past and to celebrate those that made it possible for us to openly exist today. There will always be people who moan that the world’s gone mad because there’s a day or week for everything now…but this isn’t for them and we can’t let them drown us out. I mean, what kind of person is intolerant of something that firstly, could help others and secondly, probably doesn’t even affect them?! The kind of people who will allow Remembrance Day but not Trans Day of Remembrance? Bigotry is alive and kicking. And that is exactly why queer calendar events must happen.

Go The Distance

Hate comes in many forms, but trans people are always prepared for it. We have to be. With the media trying to portray trans women as sexual predators or anti-trans groups coming together to discuss how to erase trans people, we’re constantly looking over our shoulders. When I agreed to be part of the legal challenge against NHS England, I was fully prepared for the hate. I just never expected hateful attacks to also come from within the trans community.

The Empty Hourglass

For those that have followed my blog since I came out, you’ll know that I’ve had so many frustrations along the way – especially when it comes to the current NHS provisions for trans healthcare. Whilst I’ve always tried to remain positive and to keep busy, all that’s done is paint over the personal cracks. The fact is, after 4 years of waiting, I am still on the waiting list for my chosen gender identity clinic (GIC). The legal guideline for waiting is 18 weeks. The waiting list is getting longer but I’m not getting any younger. Enough is enough. Even long before the global pandemic, the system was broken…and that’s why I’m taking legal action against NHS England.