TRANS PEOPLE AND STONEWALL Campaigning together for lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans equality TRANS PEOPLE AND STONEWALL Campaigning together for lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans equality Written by Ruth Hunt and Ayaz Manji Designed by Alex Long Published by Stonewall Stonewall Tower Building York Road London SE1 7NX
[email protected] www.stonewall.org.uk Registered Charity number 1101255 FOREWORD RUTH HUNT Chief Executive, Stonewall When I came out as a lesbian at the age of 15 in 1995 I didn’t know any other lesbian, gay, bisexual or trans people. I retreated to Cardiff library and read anything and everything that might help me find my way. In 1996 my family moved to Birmingham. With a number three haircut, a new leather jacket and scant regard for my A-levels, I discovered the Birmingham scene and a new community of lesbians, bisexual people, gay men, drag queens, trans men, trans women and, for me, a strong sense of belonging. We all understood the differences between us but we understood what united us because when we left the ‘village’ we all experienced the same sort of harassment and intimidation. Although I was able to go home to my family, others were less fortunate. For some, the Birmingham village was our family. As I was embracing a new community, Stonewall and Press for Change activists and campaigners (as well as many others) were working tirelessly on our behalf to eradicate inequalities. The people they were influencing didn’t appreciate the wonderful diversity of our LGBT family. They knew a little about gay men but the rights of trans people were quite a different and complex issue.