What are some of the challenges the trans community are facing in the UK and abroad?
The challenges faced by the trans community in the UK and abroad are alarming. In the UK, transphobic rhetoric is rising – not just in the media but also within politics and public policy – fuelling societal division and discrimination. Many anti-trans groups receive ongoing funding to challenge the Equality Act, aiming to dismantle legal protections. Social media has become a tool for amplifying false narratives, distorting public opinion, influencing policy, and creating further barriers to equality.
How do these ani-trans groups operate, nationally and internationally?
Well-funded anti-trans groups in the USA and UK are working together to push harmful narratives into mainstream discourse. In the USA, the situation is becoming increasingly desperate. Some states are attempting to pass bills to deny gender-affirming care and restrict participation in sport. Meanwhile, restrictions on updating ID documents have already been enforced across the country.
These attacks create fear and uncertainty while setting a dangerous precedent that must be taken seriously in the UK. Anti-trans rhetoric has become a central weapon in politics, with trans people used as scapegoats. Some politicians who once showed support have now turned their backs, actively undermining years of progress.
What are the consequences of this?
The consequences are severe, affecting mental health, healthcare, housing, and employment. Support for trans rights is also steadily declining, as seen in recent polling. Now, more than ever, we need unity – to mobilise allies and protect trans rights, dignity, and safety worldwide. We must stand together, challenge disinformation, and dismantle the political agendas driving this global assault on trans rights.
Can you tell me more about your plans for the future?
I’ve been behind several impactful global campaigns, starting with #LwiththeT in 2018. As part of the original group that launched the campaign, I helped organise it in direct response to anti-trans lesbians who hijacked the front of the London Pride parade. I led PR and communications while also co-organising and leading the Brighton and London Pride parades in 2018 and 2019.
What did you do next?
The viral success of #LwiththeT sparked global solidarity, inspiring #WiththeT groups worldwide. By creating a resource for allies, we provided a way for people to be vocal and visible in their support for the trans community. I later developed inclusive campaigns like #TransPeopleAreLoved and #TransYouthAreLoved, designed to enable anyone – inside and outside the LGBTQIA+ community – to stand behind a message of love and support.
How did the Trans Solidarity Alliance come together?
In 2024, alongside fellow directors of the Trans Solidarity Alliance – Executive Director of DIVA Nancy Kelley and Paramount Commissioner Kit Morey – we launched #TransYouthAreLoved. Over 60 celebrities publicly supported trans youth, using their platforms to spread messages of love and solidarity, including the likes of Emma Bunton, Elliot Page and David Tennant.
Beyond campaigns, I’ve worked to counter the anti-trans agenda by repurposing its own tactics – leveraging social media to build solidarity and rally allies. The Trans Solidarity Alliance naturally evolved from this work, stepping into political spaces to educate decision-makers and advance trans rights in the UK.