Words: Alastair James; pictures: Twitter/@ShivaniDave
Mor than 20,0000 people attended this year’s Trans Pride in London held over the weekend.
On Saturday (9 July) a defiant march took place from Wellington Arch to Soho Square paying tribute to Pride’s protest roots and highlighting how far we’ve come as a community as well as how much there is left to do.
Posting on Instagram on Sunday (10 July) London Trans+ Pride wrote: “Words can not describe the love, rage and solidarity we all felt yesterday. It was truly magical and inspiring. Over 20,000 people showed up and marched with us! We can’t quite believe it!”
View this post on Instagram
Thanking those who helped organise the event Trans Pride continued: “The road to equality is a long and hard one but we will get there. Days like yesterday fill us with so much hope and just seeing the next generation of transgender, non-binary, gender non-conforming and intersex people thrive is proof that something is changing, for the better, for our community!
“There cannot be liberation for all LGBTQIA+ people until there is liberation for trans and intersex people!”
20,000 people showed up at London Trans+ Pride – a record breaking number. It’s impossible to show the vast number of people, the feeling of solidarity and the pure trans joy in just one photo. So here are a few 📸 from me to try and do it justice pic.twitter.com/Wed9pbpS9s
— shivani dave (@ShivaniDave) July 10, 2022
The link to the 2023 GoFundMe page can be found here. Recognising the growth in those attending Trans Pride organisers are hoping to raise at least £7,500 to cover costs for next year, which will be Trans Pride’s fifth anniversary.
Images from the event show the solidarity and sense of community within the LGBTQ community and its allies. Footage from the event also shows people’s anger chanting “Trans Rights now” as they march.
“What Do We Want Trans Rights When Do We want it Now! Massive Trans Pride march London #transrights #transpride #TransRightsAreHumanRights pic.twitter.com/axw6z3hIBF
— MelissaJays (@jays_melissa) July 9, 2022
Heartstopper‘s Yasmin Finney spoke passionately at one point calling out the Conservatives, the departing Boris Johnson, and also talked about feeling more “connected to my community more than ever”.
Snippet I caught of Yasmin Finney’s speech at London Trans Pride. pic.twitter.com/vrPonpJUJZ
— Evie 🏳️⚧️🏳️🌈⚢💍 (@SleepyCatten) July 9, 2022
Trans Pride is ever more prescient following the leak earlier this year that the UK Government was dropping plans for a ban on ‘conversion therapy’. Following a backlash, they quickly and shamelessly recommitted to a ban but one that would exclude trans people.
Trans people also continue to be vilified in parts of the media while also being banned from competing in sporting competitions.
Recently FINA, swimming’s world governing body, announced that it would effectively ban some trans athletes from competing in categories that match their gender identity.
Prior to the event, several trans people spoke to Attitude about how to balance allyship with respect.
Kenny Ethan-Jones
“The biggest one for me is ensuring that when you come into our spaces and you listen to our stories, and our life experiences you don’t try to equate it with similarities in your own life that actually aren’t equal. Understanding and acknowledging that there are strong differences in the way we are treated in the world is a part of good allyship.”
Darkwah Kyei-Darkwah
“I think allies can show up for the community without taking space by doing the groundwork in their own circles. So much of the conversation is had on social media and while useful for visibility, also sees a lot of passive shares. Actively demonstrating your allyship when no one but those you know are around, tells them you’re serious and in turn, helps the conversation progress and be taken more seriously.”
Alejandra Muñoz
“Cis people showing up is very important in on itself. I think awareness and understanding of trans issues are crucial, there are a lot of people that still don’t have a clear understanding of what we are protesting for and what our struggles are. This event was born as a reaction to the celebration of gay pride.
“We felt we didn’t have a reason to celebrate and we actually have to protest about legislation that was affecting our life directly. Treating this event as just a queer party is not correct. So to all cis people coming I would say understand why you are joining, educate yourself on the current fight and be ready to listen.”
Virgin X
“I would like allies to take up MORE space for trans and gender non-conforming people: If you see us being harassed on the street for instance- take up space and do something about it! Take up space by blasting our voices on your socials! Tell our stories in your spaces, and MAKE space for our existence by giving us jobs and opportunities.”
Novaya Shey
“I believe that exploring a higher sense of consciousness is what a lot of us are missing in the community. As a trans person who exists within the queer community, I feel that 95% of the conversations I have with my queer peers, I am the one who has to compromise. Rarely do I feel I am learning something from the interaction or having a wholesome experience myself.
“I would personally like to see more self-aware allyship. This to me, means investing in a heightened experience of critical thinking and emotional awareness
“Before you ask for something from a trans person, i.e. requesting access to personal information about their transness and/ or journey as a trans person, think about why you are asking the question and what you are trying to gain from it. Also, think about the detrimental effect it may have on the trans person you are communicating with.
“I think it is very important to be present in order to read the room. Allowing trans people the space to open up and feel seen and heard is a very different thing to questions and topics that bare similarities to an interrogation.”
The Attitude July/August issue is out now.