Last week, a decision was made by the UK Supreme Court which directly impacts the safety, dignity, and wellbeing of trans, non-binary, intersex, and genderqueer people in the UK.
This weekend, tens of thousands of people gathered in nearly 30 cities across the UK, coming together in anger, hope, and solidarity for trans people and their rights.
Laura, one of our Service Leads, was honoured to speak at Nottingham’s protest on Sunday, to express our deep allyship with our trans clients, colleagues, and communities. Sadly there are no photos or videos of the speech, but it can be read below.
“My name is Laura, I’m the self harm and suicide intervention service lead at Harmless and The Tomorrow Project: a suicide prevention service here in Nottingham. I won’t talk for long, because trans voices need to take centre-stage, but I want to speak directly to the trans people of Nottingham.
Trans lived experiences of mental health and suicide have been invalidated and erased by people who should know better. So understandably, I know that makes it even more difficult to know who to trust and to reach out for help when struggling.
So today, I want to assure you, as service lead, that Harmless understands the nuanced experiences that trans people have when it comes to self harm, and suicide. We aren’t connected to any of your other records, so the name you tell us, is the name we will use for you. The gender you tell us, is the gender we will record for you. Trans women are women, so will be represented and supported as such. The pronouns you tell us, are the pronouns we will use for you. Your notes and your treatment will be entirely accepting and validating of your trans identity.
All of that is the bare minimum.
Acceptance and support for trans people is suicide prevention.
Equal rights for trans people is suicide prevention.
Gender-affirming healthcare is suicide prevention.
And anyone who says otherwise, is directly ignoring and erasing trans lived experiences. And that is indefensible.
I promise, today and every day, you have access to a self harm, suicide crisis, and suicide bereavement service that believes you, and will fight for you.
In a world that tries to erase you, the bravest thing to do is carry on existing.
Stay angry.
Stay hopeful.
Solidarity always.”
If you need our support, please reach out to us. Our referral forms can be found here.
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Photo credit: Chris Tragenza
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