This Trans Awareness Week we are delighted to present a showcase of the incredible work of some of our trans and non-binary led member groups. Against a backdrop of increasing hostility, trans and non-binary led groups are undertaking incredible work across arts, healthcare, law and community support.
The work of these small, grassroots groups is vital to our trans and non-binary communities, but often goes unrecognised. Our online showcase seeks to uplift trans and non-binary voices and hold space for community, joy and celebration.
Alongside this showcase of the incredible work of our trans-led members, we’ll also be running a fundraising campaign to inspire support for our future grant-giving.
As a specialist grant-maker for LGBT+ organisations, Consortium has distributed over £1.75m in funds to intersectional, community-led, grassroots groups since 2018. We hope our showcase will raise vital funds to support more grants to grassroots groups. Trans and non-binary led organisations need funding now more than ever, and active allyship has never been more important. Funds raised from this activity will be distributed through our grants programmes to directly support diverse, intersectional and grassroots groups.
ADVOCACY
The Trans Legal Clinic is is the first trans-led specialist gender identity legal practice in the UK. We are based on Fleet Street in the heart of London. At its core, the Trans Legal Clinic is a human rights practice because Trans+ rights are human rights and without the influence of trans+ and non-binary people many of the human rights which are enjoyed by our cisgendered counterparts would cease to exist as we know them today.
Trans+ people across the UK still face immense barriers to accessing justice for themselves. This is aggravated by the fact that many trans+ people at some stage in their transition are required to go through ‘social transition’ – the process of changing one’s name, gender markers, pronouns, and other personal details among not only friends and family, but also the institutions and providers of goods and services with whom they engage on a day-to-day basis. The process is confusing and complex, and can often be distressing and even traumatic. These challenges are amplified when one considers the disproportionate levels of discrimination, harassment, and abuse faced by trans+ people in their day-to-day lives.
The mission of the Trans Legal Clinic is simple; we provide free and accessible legal help to transgender and non-binary people in need. Our overarching vision is a society where all people have access to the legal resources required for gender self-determination and where gender diversity is not just accepted but embraced, with trans+ people equipped with the necessary legal tools to navigate the world in their affirmed gender.
Once a person achieves institutional recognition of their name and gender identity, they are protected from much of the confusion and prejudice that arises within these institutions. Our clients will be free to choose whether and with whom they want to disclose about their gender history, a right that we wish to afford all of our clients.
In late May 2020, the Steph’s Place website was made ‘live’, in the hope it could bring to the British public’s attention the plight of transgender people.
It was mainly concerned about the 0.6% of us, who are trans, but also making room for transgender people in other countries who also suffer discrimination and sometimes persecution. At the time of launch, Steph the founder of this website could not have hoped that it would go on to see many thousands of visitors every week.
Steph’s Place changed in the spring/summer of 2021 to become a group of like-minded people and in November 2022 we re-branded as TransLucent CIC.
ARTS & CREATIVITY
Trans Creative was launched into the world in 2017. Since then, transgender politics have rarely been out of the news – often meaning one step forward, and two steps back for the trans community. We are seen, but not heard, we make headlines, but don’t get to write the copy. Trans Creative have been countering media negativity through our mission to “Tell our own stories” which is more important now than ever.
To be trans and have a voice is both rare and vital. Over the last three years we have created important platforms to have these voices heard, from nationwide tours of mind-expanding theatre to young trans people and artists taking over institutions, to headline-grabbing activism.
This is just the beginning for us, and we are encouraged by our sell-out events and audience response. We believe having more trans presence in the arts creates social change. We have seen its impact grow over the last few years and feel proud to be part of this change.
CAMPAIGNING & ACTIVISM
Trans in the City is an organisation that connects experts, role models and organisations to openly share knowledge and learnings. It's free to join and open to any organisation that needs support. It provides a safe space for organisations looking to improve their policies or practices or to help organisations new to the subject on their trans awareness and inclusion journey.
This organisation could have sat in any of our categories, as they undertake such a wide array of roles and activities!
Gendered Intelligence, established in 2008, is a registered charity that works to increase understandings of gender diversity and improve the lives of trans people.
Our vision is of a world where diverse gender expressions are visible and valued, and where trans, non-binary, gender diverse and gender questioning people live healthy, safe and fulfilled lives.
We are a trans-led and trans-involving grassroots organisation with a wealth of lived experience, community connections of many kinds, and a depth and breadth of trans community knowledge that is second to none. The team has a variety of professional and academic specialisms and qualifications including training and facilitation, youth work, policy, the arts, and doctorates in trans-related studies.
We aim to be thought leaders in this field, bringing positivity, passion and professionalism to everything we do. With our open and non-judgmental approach we want to enable nuanced discussion.
CREATING COMMUNITY JOY
TRANSANCTUARY
TRANSANCTUARY is a safe space, peer support and social group in Birmingham UK.
Our mission is to reach out to the gender diverse community and gather for friendship and solidarity.
We welcome all gender diverse identities and presentations, there are no expectations or exclusions.
Our members include trans men, trans women, non-binary and genderqueer folk of all backgrounds, ages, experience, and stages of transition.
We meet in a confidential space reserved for our group and are happy to help those who are anxious about attending.
The core of our offer is running twice monthly weekday evening meetings, attendance is typically 10-15 with around 150 different attendees in the last year.
Details of times and locations are posted on our Instagram and Facebook.
TranSanctuary is 100% volunteer led, independently funded and with no organisation or political affiliation.
Our email is: [email protected]
TransHull CIC is a trans-led organisation that creates joy and uplifts queer people in Hull and surrounding areas with a focus on trans+ people. We have monthly events such as rock climbing (funded by lgbt consortium), coffee meets, seasonal quiz nights, and a new monthly swimming session starting in December. We also have ad-hoc events collaborating with other queer and trans friendly businesses around hull.
We have recently set up a GRC service which offers assistance with filling out applications. We are also able to offer the services of a local inclusive solicitor who can sign applications at no cost.
We are newly registered as a CIC and have recently instated a board. We are currently volunteer led, but we are looking for additional funding to support the work we do, and to be able to recruit local queer and trans+ people as full-time staff to meet the demand in our local area.
Supporting the lives of trans+ adults across the UK is the core message of Not a Phase, a small charity that is working towards a brighter future for the community.
Through awareness campaigning, developing company diversity strategies and supporting trans+ owned business and projects with financial and material investment, Not A Phase aims to bridge the gaps that the trans+ and gender nonconforming community too often fall between.
The funds raised for Not a Phase not only go into these projects but also support the peer support groups and “misfits” wellness programmes that are currently launching in London before being rolled out across the country later this year, aiming to give a regular safe space for trans+ adults to meet, learn and grow.
At the start of the year we did a lot of soul-searching around what our responsibility is as a charity at this very difficult time and we realised that our sole purpose is to be a place of joy for the community. As a result of this, we produced a national advertising campaign with an accompanying video featuring the trans and non-binary community from across the country that were also featured in the print campaign.
Trans Radio UK - formed in Feb 2018, a radio for the community by the community. A global team formed of presenters, news reporters, graphic designers, etc from the LGBTQIA+ community and allies, listened to in over 100 countries. Playing music from nearly every genre as well as topical chat shows. Connecting and supporting the community through music and supporting community musicians and events.
TRUK Listens - formed in June 2020. A helpline for the trans and non-binary community with counsellors from the same community.
TRUK United FC - formed in Sept 2021. An award winning fully inclusive football team with various teams that play all over the UK. Made history twice so far, in 2022 when they fielded the first 11 team of solely trans women in the world and in 2023 when they fielded the first team of 11 trans masc people, another first in the world. The team has nearly 300 people who have signed up to play and so far over 100 people have played for them.
SERVICES
Generate supports the trans, non-binary and gender questioning community by providing peer support groups, one to one mentoring and organise a variety of activities and social events for our members. We run monthly "in person" peer support groups in York and Doncaster and an online peer support group weekly. We also provide a member only WhatsApp community where members can discuss a variety of subjects, chat with other members and ask each other for support and info.
We also run "GeneraTe Plus” where we support parents, families and loved ones of transgender, gender questioning and non-binary people. For GeneraTe plus members we run a monthly in-person group in Leeds, where we also provide childcare, and an on line monthly group and a Facebook peer support group.
Trans Support Hub CIC organises LGBTQ+ clothes swaps. The clothes swaps aim to provide clothes and accessories including trans-specific items such as binders. They have regularly had stylists, make-up artists, hairdressers, and bra fitters to support people who want to explore a new look and/or save money.
More recently, they’ve also been teaching other LGBTQ+ Charities and CICs (and similar organisations) to start their own clothes swap events.
We are the TIN Wardrobe, an organisation that helps to free gender expression by distributing free clothing to transgender, intersex, and non-binary (TIN) people across the UK.
We want the best for TIN communities in the UK and around the world. We hope to act as an example of true mutual aid, supporting our communities to self-organise and fight for the outcomes we all deserve.
The TIN Wardrobe is currently on hiatus until the new year.
Loving Me is a domestic abuse service for trans and non-binary people in England. We support anyone over 18 who is experiencing domestic abuse now or has in the past.
This could be from a spouse, partner, someone they are seeing or a family member. We are run by and for the trans and non-binary community, so all our workers are trans, non-binary, or gender diverse.
We offer flexible support depending on what someone needs and wants and can help with accessing services, deciding on next steps and emotional support. We also provide a refuge for trans and non-binary people who need somewhere safe to stay.
We are Space Youth Project, and we support young people in Dorset up to the age of 25 in the LGBT+ community. A part of our charities work is to deliver training called "How to support gender diverse young people" to companies, and professionals to help them more aware of the issues facing LGBT+ and especially trans and non-binary young people today. We also have a volunteer that delivers LGBT+ training in schools.
By providing our training, we hope to make Dorset a more progressive and compassionate county by educating the local population about the realities surrounding transgender and non-binary people. Even if it takes one person at a time, we want to continue the battle to alter society’s perceptions.
Created as a solution to the current chronic reality faced by trans and non-binary individuals seeking public gender-affirming healthcare, our goal is to enable free access to a network of trusted private providers, who can provide patients with a high-quality gender-affirming care experience, based on sensitivity, care, and timely access.
WELLBEING
Trans Can Sport is a not-for-profit, community interest company based in Brighton & Hove. Founded in 2015, we created it to support trans people to get into exercise and healthy living. Our main aim is to help anyone who feels their transgender identity makes participating in sport difficult. This may include people who are trans, non-binary, QTIPOC, queer and/or intersex, questioning or exploring their gender or anyone who feels their gender expression has been a barrier to participating in sports and fitness.
In 2023 our activities included tennis, wheelchair basketball, circuit training, windsurfing, and bouldering. Our activities are finished for the year; however, we are excited to launch even more activities in January 2024. Check out our Website and follow us on Instagram & Facebook.
We are a Glasgow based social enterprise founded by a group LGBTQ+ people with lived experience of mental health recovery through nature. We want everyone to have the opportunity to experience the wellbeing benefits of spending time in nature and to have the confidence to go on your own outdoor adventure!
We offer free wellbeing workshops in the woodlands, where you can learn about mindfulness, fire lighting, forest bathing, foraging for food, eco art and other wellbeing activities.
We also have an annual wellbeing festival in the summer, where the community can come together in a safe, sober space to celebrate and experience all the different outdoor activities that can improve wellbeing.
Established in 1993, The Kite Trust is the largest LGBTQ+ charity in Cambridgeshire. We support the wellbeing and creativity of LGBTQ+ young people in Cambridgeshire, Peterborough and surrounding areas through information, support, and groups. We build inclusive communities to tackle inequalities through consultancy, training, and education to all sectors.
- face to face services such as weekly drop-in groups across the county, 1-2-1 support, volunteering and creative arts projects.
- Training and awareness raising for local professionals around a wide range of issues relating to young people’s sexual orientation or gender identity and
- School based services, running workshops, training, and support for schools. A group of fully trained youth support workers and volunteers offer safe and supportive activities for young people to take part in.
@TheKiteTrust on Instagram and TikTok
The Kite Trust on Facebook
