On 23rd November OUTpatient’s Education Co-Lead, Lee, braved stormy weather to travel down to Brighton and speak at the TUC’s Trade Unions for Trans Rights Network Meeting.
Building on the success of previous meetings, this event brought together trade union members, LGBTQ+ charities, and community representatives to foster collaboration, share resources, and coordinate campaigns in support of trans and non-binary rights in the UK. The day centred around a panel discussion on the current state of trans and non-binary rights in the UK, with Lee sharing insights from OUTpatients’ work. They were joined by speakers from a diverse range of organisations, highlighting key challenges and priorities facing trans and non-binary people.
Sarah Savage from Brighton Trans Pride discussed the organization’s grassroots origins, its mission to provide a safe space, and campaigns addressing discrimination. Maria Exall, TUC LGBT+ Committee Chair, emphasized the trade union movement’s role in advocating for trans and non-binary rights, focusing on workplace discrimination and union structures that empower members. Steph Richards from TransLucent outlined efforts to promote visibility, acceptance, and healthcare access while countering transphobic narratives. And Ren Mars of London Trans Pride highlighted the grassroots approach to organizing inclusive events and tackling systemic challenges, emphasizing campaigns to increase visibility and support for the trans community. Together, the panel provided a comprehensive look at the current landscape and emphasised the collaborative efforts needed to drive meaningful change.
Lee then joined Chay Brown, CEO of TransActual, to run an interactive session on addressing the health inequalities impacting trans and non-binary people. Conversations focused on how trade unions can better support trans and non-binary workers and patients in health care settings, and the need to work towards systemic change.
It was great to meet so many new people and explore the role of trade unions in supporting LGBTIQ+ people affected by cancer – but hopefully next time it’ll be sunny enough to explore the beach!
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