New Documentary to Highlight Discrimination, Injustice, and Suffering Faced by UK LGBTQ+ Families

A new documentary aims to highlight the discrimination and suffering faced by trans and non-binary parents in the UK. The documentary, titled Our Trans Family, will document the injustice faced by LGBTQ+ families and the lack of legal recognition granted to them by the state. 

This situation is particularly acute for families where one or more parents are trans or non-binary. Thousands of British children are being disadvantaged from the moment they’re born by an archaic UK law from the 1950s that insists whoever gives birth to a baby can only be recorded as the mother on the birth certificate. 

Trans journalist and solo dad Freddy McConnell, for example, lost a year-long battle to be registered as his first child’s ‘dad’ or ‘parent’ on their birth certificate. He is now pregnant with a second child and is travelling to Sweden to give birth, where he can be legally recognized as his baby’s father. Our Trans Family also explores other issues affecting families from trans children and how they are supported by their families to trans parents transitioning and telling their children. 

“With transphobia at an all-time high this film needs to be made more than ever,” stated Victoria Holden, Founder of Chalk Productions, who is crowdfunding to make the film. “To have to travel to another country during Covid to give birth so you are recognized correctly on a birth certificate is barbaric and wrong. I realized that it’s not just Freddy this issue affects but thousands of LGBTQ+ families. It made me think, not just about the parents but also the potential discrimination for children involved too.”

Holden believes these injustices need to be highlighted and British laws, particularly those surrounding birth certificates, need to reflect today’s modern society. McConnell pointed out that the UK’s birth registration system, which dates back to the 1950s, “privileges and prioritizes the nuclear family. I think for the benefit of all children in this country, we need a more transparent and flexible system that reflects the diverse society in which we live today.” 

LGBTQ+ people who want to be parents have “simply never been considered by lawmakers," added McConnell. “The film we plan to make will focus on trans parents, but the associated petition that we are launching calls for birth registration equality for all LGBTQ+ families. This is because we might only get one shot at root and branch law reform; and we believe there can and must be a birth registration system that works equally well for all birth families.” 

Lack of legal recognition means “total absence of official data to count trans parents, let alone paint a more nuanced picture,” highlighted McConnell. “It’s a vicious cycle as it’s precisely this lack of data that makes it hard to get the government to take this issue seriously or […] win a court case.” 

Holden confirmed that they have already achieved 70% of the £5,000 target to start making the documentary. Both Holden and McConnell hope that they will smash that target by the end of 2021 – which is just a few days away. To donate to the crowdfunding campaign, click here.

The documentary producers are also interested in hearing from other LGBTQ+ parents who have suffered similar injustices/discrimination. If you have a similar story to share, or would like apply for a position on the film crew, then contact: [email protected].