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Reflections on Visibility: A Personal Journey Through Marginalisation and Advocacy

What do the words “being visible” mean to you?

Please feel free to take a moment to consider this as I imagine there may be a range of answers that would all be correct, given the subjective nature of the question.

When the question is put to marginalised communities within the wider demographic, we may see that this question goes “hand in hand” with being heard. Only when we are both seen and heard can we realistically experience a more equal world that benefits the entirety of society.

I would like to share something with you from when I was growing up in the 1970’s in Middlesbrough. I was one of the young people who couldn’t understand my own sense of self as there were no positive representations of being trans from what I could see in my day-to-day life in the town centre. That is not to say that trans people didn’t exist back in the day!

One person has stayed in my memory over the last half a century. Their importance to me has grown over time yet this is a person I never even knew their name. This was due to them simply being labelled as someone to avoid, someone who should be ridiculed for being themselves. This person I now know by todays understanding as a trans woman. I clearly recall the conversations about this person, describing them as the local crazy person who lived a few streets away from me just off Princes Road in the Boro. “Don’t go anywhere near them” “Don’t talk to them” “They aren’t right in the head” were usual statements from those who claimed the status of caring for me.

Back in those days I also recall how being bisexual, gay or lesbian came with similar derogatory tropes. It’s taken many years for the rights of LGBTQ+ people to have protection in law via the Equality Act 2010 though there is still such a long way to go. I am blessed that I have a platform as I get to speak with large companies and decision makers as well as having opportunities such as writing the article you are now reading! I can say with a degree of certainty that such opportunities weren’t afforded to many of those that had come before me.

I feel humbled and emotional at the realisation that the platform I have today, however small or large. Is only given to me due to the pain, bloodshed, and deaths of those that have built the foundations in a much more difficult time than we face today, those we may not know the names of.

Respecting the fact that today we all have a responsibility to uphold the values of inclusion as we truly know that hard fought for rights can easily take a slide backwards and history shows us how this can affect all marginalised people negatively. When we are seen, we can be heard, our inequalities can be addressed, our safety can be assured, our youth can feel safe growing up in a world that cares.

Not wishing to go down the expansive rabbit hole about the inequalities faced other than to touch on the health aspects with an impossibly long waiting list for a first appointment or a NHS ban on puberty blockers which is actually an attack on those who are unable to afford private healthcare as these are very much available to those who are able to go private.

What I would like to focus on is visibility. 31st March is Trans Day of Visibility #TDOV and is meant to be the date where we raise up our trans & nonbinary communities and experiences in the hope of an equitable society. What usually happens is we are encouraged by our employers and community leaders to be visible, post a TDOV picture on your social media and state the fact that you are trans and are visible. I would like to suggest something a little different. Instead of those in transition posting a picture, how about cisgender people and allies from all communities post a picture up with the hashtag s #TDOV & #FreeToBeMe stating that they are a proud Trans Ally? If you are an ally to the trans community then please be a visible one. It matters!

Educate yourself on the issues beyond the divisive media narratives, engage without the prejudice with communities that are different from your own.

Be a visible supporter and realise that trans and non binary people exist in all communities. That includes disability, faith groups, ethnicities, perceived class and educational hierarchies, pretty much every area where you will find groups of people, trans people exist, maybe in some circles they don’t live as openly ass everyone else due to the historic aspects mentioned earlier.

I was very pleased to have some input with Teesside University and the amazing local musician “That Clare” as they created the following piece of media for Trans Day of Visibility 2024. Seeing so many answer the call and proudly state ally-ship gives me hope for the future. Watch it below or visit youtube here https://youtu.be/g3TiUIsYr3c?si=6yqHundYVxlzHJAu

If you are an ally of the trans community, thank you, If you are afraid to proudly state this, then maybe you should reconsider what an ally truly is. If you are navigating this world as an openly trans or nonbinary person, I understand that this means you are simply living your life. Please remember that you are also a role model whose very existence helps others to value the authenticity in their lives. We can’t be what we can’t see. stay strong, stay visible, Stay YOU.

[su_box title=”Written By Ellie Lowther” box_color=”#ff1f1f”]Elisha Lowther FRSA is the founder of Ellie Lowther Collective Ltd, A not for profit company limited by guarantee whose aim is the champion the values of intersectional inclusion. ELC Ltd is the home of the Free To Be Me Project which delivers education , support and advocacy for marginalised people across the UK. All profits from our work go towards funding our community ventures such as the regions only over 50s LGBT+ Social Group/Drop in and SYSTEMIC (Sing Your Song True Equality Matters Inclusive Choir) if you are interested in our Community Ventures or are an Organisation that wishes to engage and work with us, please email ellielowthercollective@gmail.com or elisha@ellielowthercollective.org.uk[/su_box]

Reflections on Visibility: A Personal Journey Through Marginalisation and Advocacy

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