The future’s never been brighter

Kim Curran shares some personal ideas and points to where gaps in services to trans people in Brighton and Hove can be improved.

Being trans is never easy – but there has never been a better time for us than today.

There is a growing public awareness of trans identities, a recognition that trans people deserve respect and can contribute a great deal to society.

Progress is patchy. In Brighton we sometimes forget that the progressive attitudes in this city haven’t reached other parts of Britain. Across the world, intolerance, even hatred, thrives.

Yet, from a western perspective, acceptance of being transgender is seeping into our culture. Slowly transgender role models are breaking down barriers – not only in the arts but many other professions.

We can be proud of transgender pioneers, and the list of 20th century trans biographies at http://zagria.blogspot.co.uk/ is inspiring.

But even 50 years ago being trans was a much more lonely existence. The trans world was known to – and understood by – relatively few people. Many who felt this was their destiny had no one to turn to, no hope of acceptance, and no way of integrating into the society around them.

Today popular culture has its part to play in opening the minds of people who have never questioned simplistic gender stereotypes . When you hear that EastEnders plans to introduce a transgender character – with a trans actor playing the part – and BBC2 is launching a new trans sitcom later this year, it’s clear progress is being made.

Public indifference and ignorance is sometimes difficult for trans people to accept. A simple misgendering wounds us deeply while the person who uttered it can be oblivious to what they have done. Most people don’t want to cause pain and don’t realise the misery they cause by using a wrong pronoun. But it takes time to loosen up a simplistic gender-binary viewpoint on the world…

However, young trans people, braver than previous generations, are now on the brink of a breakthrough. They are gaining support from family, friends and workmates and breaking down barriers of ignorance and prejudice.

Of course many still suffer hardships over relationships that break up, and face rejection from family members who can’t accept change. Despite equality and employment regulations, work colleagues may not react well and, when you leave a job, it’s not always easy to find a new one with the same earning power. Financial stresses can lead to mental stress. That is when your ability to be adaptable and maintain self confidence is put to the greatest test.

Even so, there has never been a better time for trans people – despite obstacles and outdated attitudes.

Our increased visibility, better organisation, and involvement in decision making (locally, particularly through Brighton Council’s Trans Equality Scrutiny panel), mean we can start to work on these problems.

The future lies in taking up the challenges – improving public education, and developing work prospects for trans people with better employment advice, better training of employers (Trans Alliance has started this) and creating new work opportunities.

An improved network of housing information and access for trans people is needed, and more support for those feeling the stresses that inevitably come with such profound changes in our lives. To that end, the Clare Project has started a series of workshops with Mind Out.