Today is Transgender Day of Visibility, and as a trans person I have mixed feelings about it. On the one hand I love to see trans experiences being shared, trans representation in my favourite shows, and more people seeing this and realising they're not alone. But in some ways we have too much visibility. Newspapers write about us every day. There's article after article based on vicious transphobia which frames
My name is Finn, my pronouns are they/them, and I’m a Peer Support Worker with Leeds Mental Wellbeing Service (LMWS) and the Community Pain Service. I also happen to be transgender and non-binary (meaning my gender identity doesn’t fit within the binary categories of man and woman). When I came into this role in 2019 I had decided that – despite my fear of what it might entail – I
The tears run down my cheek. Another night I cry myself to sleep. Who am I? Why me? Here I go again. The wetness on my cheek. What is wrong with me? Am I male? Am I female? I really don’t know what to make of me. Wow she is petty. No that’s not right. I shouldn’t think that way. The big book, the man in the sky. They say
As a child I experienced trauma which affects my mental health today. I did not acknowledge the impact this trauma had had on my life and I tried to ignore the feelings of overwhelm, anxiety and occasional panic attacks I sometimes experienced. As I got older, the anxiety and panic attacks increased and eventually, I had to face my demons and deal with the things that were affecting my mental
My name is Lee I am 28 years old I have cerebral palsy and learning difficulties. I have done a work placement at National Express Leeds bus station. I got this from Leeds Technology college. They kept me on the placement for a year because I was doing well. I also did a food course there and a work skills course learning about money and home life skills. I enjoyed
What does Trans Day of Remembrance mean to you? I think primarily Trans Day of Remembrance means care for myself, and care for my community. We remember those we have lost and we meditate on how we can remain here without them. It means coming together to share and to grieve, to love and to forbear. I personally feel the dichotomy of being excited to share a space with other
On the 20th of November each year, people gather around the world to mourn the transgender, non-binary and gender non-conforming people who we have lost this year. We also recognise on this day the violence that so often circulates not just around the death of our trans siblings, but so often our lives as well. Transphobic hate crimes, institutional failings, and discrimination can culminate in transgender people facing higher rates
A was convicted of a domestic violence offence and ordered to carry out unpaid work and Rehabilitation Requirement Days as part of his Community Order. English was not his first language and the Community Rehabilitation Company referred him to Touchstone’s specialist Shafa service. Touchstone’s caseworker Ijaz Khan could speak his language and was of the same community. This enabled A to relax and open-up about his experiences with the Criminal
THE WELL-BEAN CRISIS CAFÉ – HOPE IN A CRISIS LEEDS BLOG: OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2020: MENTAL HEALTH AND CRISIS SUPPORT IN LEEDS DURING TIER 3 RESTRICTIONS (Written by Matthew Hall – LSLCS Crisis Support Worker at WBC) News has emerged earlier this week that West Yorkshire is due to go into a Tier 3 Covid Restrictions from 1 am on Monday 2/11. This of course places further significant limitations on peoples
A Dream We call for freedom But She isn’t present today We scream loud like banshees But freedom didn’t live on our streets Painted like a dreamer on crack Addicted to optimism. But this Isn’t A dream And there is no rehab for nightmares When they follow you everywhere. Imprisoned Racists stealthily haunts us Like a cancerous tumour That takes your breath away Like Taeniasis Feeding Every breath you take