TransActual’s Director of Operations, Chay Brown shares more about the charity and what they will be doing to mark Trans Day of Remembrance.

Hi Chay, can you tell us a bit about TransActual and how it helps the trans community?

TransActual is working towards a world where trans people can live safely, in dignity and with access to the healthcare that we need. We’re a national, trans-led and run organization focused specifically on working for trans adults in the UK. Our work is broad-ranging, but we have a particular focus on healthcare and trans people’s legal protections. We also seek to raise trans people’s voices and raise awareness of our lived experiences.

In your opinion, what are some of the biggest challenges faced by the trans community, particularly this year?

One of the biggest challenges is waiting times for transition-related care on the NHS.  The other is the impact on trans people’s mental health from the ongoing transphobic rhetoric in the media, as well as from politicians, causing rising hate crime and discrimination.

How does your organisation help the trans community overcome some of these challenges?

We raise awareness of these issues with the wider public and with policymakers. We offer empowerment workshops and provide info for trans people to ensure that trans people know their rights and know what to do when something goes wrong.

What more can workplaces and allies do to better support the trans community at work?

Listen. Amplify trans people’s voices. Speak up for trans people, but don’t speak over trans people. Call out transphobia as and when you see it. Ensure your workplace policies are trans-inclusive.

What initiatives have you planned to mark Trans Day of Remembrance this year? 

TransActual uses our social media channels to raise trans awareness 52 weeks a year, so this week we’ve continued to do just that. On Trans Day of Remembrance, we’ll be taking time to reflect on the lives lost due to transphobia, including the life of Brianna Ghey who was murdered earlier this year.

You can contact TransActual through its social media channels: 

https://instagram.com/transactualuk