The world feels like an ever darkening place for trans people. In the UK, where the majority of us are based - including our trans members - recent news states that 70% of trans people feel under attack from a hostile BBC. Another report " …demonstrates very clearly how individuals who fail to present within narrow societal preconceptions of gender have been harassed and abused as a direct result of EHRC ‘advice.’ " and in upcoming legislation (archive.is link to article in the Times) " …places such as hospital wards, gyms and leisure centres will be able to question transgender women over whether they should be using single-sex services based on how they look, their behaviour or concerns raised by others. "

TGEU has noted 281 murders of trans people in this past year including "a notable rise in murders of activists and movement leaders… ". 88% of the people murdered were Black or Brown trans people.

This is grim reading. But the worst thing about it is that it’s nothing new. We will continue to support all trans and non gender conforming people’s right to exist, both within our organisation and outside of it even whilst we acknowledge those lost to violence.