Northern Ireland can be seen as somewhat backwards in its attitudes towards the LGBTQIA+ society in comparison to other countries around the world. Even today many trans individuals still face prejudice and discrimination in their daily lives. Just last year retail giant Debenhams settled on a case in which they refused to hire Ava Moore from Newry due to her trans status.

However, As Trans Pride NI becomes a recognised charity, could this be welcoming sign that Northern Ireland is catching up to its more progressive counterparts? Trans Pride NI formed in 2018 holding its first inclusive trans pride rally for gender equality in Ireland. The event became an inclusive experience “for intersex, non-binary, gender-questioning and all other people”. The organisation is dedicated to improving the lives of those above by providing education, increasing public awareness about the history and current culture affecting those who identify as trans, non-binary or intersex.

Founders Michael Steven and Adrianne Elson spoke about their inspiration to create their own event after attending trans pride in Brighton in 2013. They wanted to replicate the experience in Belfast and create a safe space for those in Northern Ireland. They also set up the organisation in memory of on their close friend Christopher, “who was an amazing trans ally”. They explain how the recognition of charitable status allows the organisation to raise “funds from the public, grant- making trusts and local government more easily than non-charitable bodies”. This move also assures the public they are being monitored and advised by the charity commission that the money is being spent appropriately.

This move to a charitable status highlights the need to provide support for those struggling with their gender identity and an open door can make all the difference. As a study conducted by the Royal College of Nursing and Public Health England found that 34.4% of trans adults had attempted suicide at least once and almost 14% has attempted suicide twice due to experiences of discrimination “including stigma, transphobia and bullying”.

Trans Pride NI are committed in the fight to ensure trans people are recognised and afforded their rights especially regarding trans healthcare. The organisation raises awareness surrounding “the difficulty of accessing healthcare” which is “due to long waiting times in the Gender Identity Clinic”. This is not surprising, as Northern Ireland currently only has one Gender Identity Clinic (GIC) compared to England which currently have seven adult GICs. A Freedom Of Information (FOI) requested by VICE world news revealed that The Brackenburn Clinic in Belfast haven’t taken on any new patients for two years between 2018 and 2020, and as of 2022 there is an average 47 month wait for a first appointment.

Molly Farrell, the health and well-being officer from Mid Ulster Pride, comments, “the biggest issue for trans people right now is health care and access to it. The waiting lists range from 4 years+, unless you're in a position to travel to England for surgeries”.

Molly calls for trans people to be recognised within the community as she comments “the T in LGBT is often silent and this official recognition of Trans Pride as a committed charity provides “visibility, and it allows the Trans community to start being seen, to start being recognised”.

Darcy Taylor is a Culture reporter at The Scoop and a Media and Broadcast Production student at Queen’s University Belfast

Trans Pride NI: a step in the right direction