A VISION FOR CHANGE Acceptance without exception for trans people 2017-2022 A VISION FOR CHANGE Acceptance without exception for trans people Produced by Stonewall Trans Advisory Group Published by Stonewall [email protected] www.stonewall.org.uk/trans A VISION FOR CHANGE Acceptance without exception for trans people 2017-2022 CONTENTS PAGE 5 INTRODUCTION FROM STONEWALL’S TRANS ADVISORY GROUP PAGE 6 INTRODUCTION FROM RUTH HUNT, CHIEF EXECUTIVE, STONEWALL PAGE 7 HOW TO READ THIS DOCUMENT PAGE 8 A NOTE ON LANGUAGE PAGE 9 EMPOWERING INDIVIDUALS: enabling full participation in everyday and public life by empowering trans people, changing hearts and minds, and creating a network of allies PAGE 9 −−THE CURRENT LANDSCAPE: o Role models o Representation of trans people in public life o Representation of trans people in media o Diversity of experiences o LGBT communities o Role of allies PAGE 11 −−VISION FOR CHANGE PAGE 12 −−STONEWALL’S RESPONSE PAGE 14 −−WHAT OTHERS CAN DO PAGE 16 TRANSFORMING INSTITUTIONS: improving services and workplaces for trans people PAGE 16 −−THE CURRENT LANDSCAPE: o Children, young people and education o Employment o Faith o Hate crime, the Criminal Justice System and support services o Health and social care o Sport PAGE 20 −−VISION FOR CHANGE PAGE 21 −−WHAT SERVICE PROVIDERS CAN DO PAGE 26 −−STONEWALL’S RESPONSE PAGE 28 −−WHAT OTHERS CAN DO PAGE 30 CHANGING LAWS: ensuring equal rights, responsibilities and legal protections for trans people PAGE 30 −−THE CURRENT LANDSCAPE: o The Gender Recognition Act o The Equality Act o Families and marriage o Sex by deception o Recording gender o Asylum PAGE 32 −−VISION FOR CHANGE PAGE 33 −−STONEWALL’S RESPONSE PAGE 34 −−WHAT OTHERS CAN DO PAGE 36 GETTING INVOLVED PAGE 38 GLOSSARY INTRODUCTION FROM STONEWALL’S TRANS ADVISORY GROUP The UK has played an While many of us benefited from the work to give a voice to all parts of trans successes of this time, many more communities, and we are determined important role in the did not. For some, this was because that no-one will be left behind. of deep-rooted social alienation. For Because of this, we are journey towards trans others, laws and systems have not committed to engaging further recognised or accommodated their equality, particularly with trans communities that are true identities. These systems require underrepresented. We will continue benefiting from the brave people to prove who they are in relation to very rigid gender criteria, to reach out to trans people who and dedicated efforts which define what is acceptable, are disabled, from black, Asian of a few individuals and and more importantly, what isn’t. and minority ethnic backgrounds, Consequently many trans people neurodiverse, and live in rural organisations. As a result, are left with few opportunities to communities, and would love for even live authentic, honest lives. more people from these communities to legislation developed, be engaged with STAG and involved in The drive for trans equality must the development of our future projects. affording the first be led by trans people. We must be specific legal protections at the forefront, leading the way, in This document outlines the key order to reach our goals. At the same areas on which we will work with from discrimination time, we welcome and thank the Stonewall. It is based on a shared many allies who offer to work hand-in- mission: that trans people deserve to for trans people. Trans hand with us; those who are equally live full, authentic lives; at work, at communities themselves passionate in their drive to further home and in public. To make that a the equality of all trans people. reality will require vision, drive and focus. It will require many individuals, evolved because of In 2015, following extensive dialogue many groups and many allies working with the trans communities in the UK, this, with individuals together to achieve common goals. Stonewall announced positive steps and groups providing to become truly trans-inclusive in its The issues outlined in this document own work, and this process is very are our starting point because of the mutual support and much underway. At the same time, very real effect they are having on empowering each other. Stonewall committed to working with trans people, their families, friends, trans people and groups to support loved ones and colleagues. It is written This has led to a greater progress in trans-specific areas of from us to others – both in the trans presence and visibility work. This led to the formation of communities and more widely – to the Stonewall Trans Advisory Group demonstrate the breadth of issues in day-to-day society. (STAG): a group that brings together faced by trans people, and we have, 18 individuals with a range of trans in many places, drawn on our own identities and backgrounds, to work in experiences to bring these issues collaboration with Stonewall. Diversity to life. Stonewall has responded of opinion, lived experience, identity throughout the document with its and ideals have been embraced as commitment to working alongside founding principles of this group, as us to achieve our vision for change. have the challenges and opportunities The lived experience of future trans inherent in that. We invite dialogue generations will be the marker against and critique from all quarters and which we will measure our progress. will be transparent in our operation, and we will use that to continuously This is a movement bigger than any shape our work with Stonewall. Our one organisation. Together, we will group will also periodically seek new ensure Stonewall’s vision of acceptance members and increased diversity of without exception is an unquestionable experience and background. We will reality for all trans people. INTRODUCTION | INTRODUCTION FROM STONEWALL’S TRANS ADVISORY GROUP 5 INTRODUCTION FROM RUTH HUNT, CHIEF EXECUTIVE, STONEWALL I am very proud to be Between March 2014 and February The second strand identified 2015 I led a series of conversations during our consultation with trans a trans ally. When I with hundreds of trans people communities was the role Stonewall to understand the role we could should play in supporting a trans became Chief Executive of play in working towards trans specific agenda. While trans people Stonewall, it was incredibly equality. What came out of those face many of the same inequalities conversations was that Stonewall that lesbian, gay and bi people face important to me that had two distinct, but different, – and can of course also be part of parts to play. Firstly, we needed these communities – there are also Stonewall too stepped up to become a truly LGBT inclusive many issues specific to them. It was to take its place as an charity. That meant all our work – our clear that we had a responsibility campaigns, research, programmes and to use our expertise and resources ally. We had been silent on everything else – had to incorporate to support the work already being trans people and issues. We were done in trans communities to trans issues for too long. willing and ready to commit to that, promote equality, but also to support wholeheartedly, and we are very trans communities to establish proud to be firmly on that path. their own vision for the future. Since then, we have produced trans With that mission in mind, we inclusive reports and guidance for appointed a new Head of Trans a variety of different audiences, Inclusion, and the Stonewall Trans including the Unhealthy Attitudes Advisory Group was recruited and report, a series on supporting trans formed. Its purpose is to reflect a staff in the workplace, a toolkit for broad and diverse range of trans community sport organisations and experiences and define that vision guidance for schools on tackling for the future. This document does bullying. We have worked with just that. It is a plan for trans Gendered Intelligence to train all our equality produced and articulated by staff on key issues for trans people. trans people. It is a clear blueprint We have introduced trans themes for trans people, allies, LGBT into all our conferences, heard from organisations, other organisations inspirational trans speakers, and and institutions about the role they given trans young people a voice can play to ensure every trans person through the Young Campaigners is accepted without exception. Programme. Our work is now, Any work towards trans equality where appropriate, always trans must be driven by trans people inclusive, and will continue to be. and achieved by trans people, but it will be utterly and unequivocally supported by Stonewall as an LGBT charity, and we will do everything we can to make it a reality. 6 A VISION FOR CHANGE | ACCEPTANCE WITHOUT EXCEPTION FOR TRANS PEOPLE HOW TO READ THIS DOCUMENT THERE ARE EMPOWERING THREE KEY INDIVIDUALS: enabling trans people to actively SECTIONS: and visibly participate in everyday and public life by empowering trans people, changing hearts and minds and creating a network of allies. TRANSFORMING INSTITUTIONS: improving services and workplaces for trans people. CHANGING LAWS: ensuring equal rights, responsibilities and legal protections for trans people. WITHIN THE CURRENT STONEWALL’S LANDSCAPE: RESPONSE: EACH OF THE an outline of the main issues, and the tangible actions to which SECTIONS, THE how they impact on trans people. Stonewall commits to in order to help achieve the vision for change. FOLLOWING VISION FOR WHAT OTHERS CAN DO: CHANGE: the actions that others can take, HAS BEEN what needs to change to whether that’s trans people, the ensure acceptance and OUTLINED: wider LGB communities, allies, inclusion for trans people. organisations or others, to help achieve the vision for change.