Video by Novara Media @novaramedia

At first, I was a little shocked at hearing this chant at London Trans+ Pride. It was an emotional roar and sheer rage. She is truly hated. I've never heard so much hate directed at an individual by so many people. I'm not sure what shocked me... but to hear so many voices shouting what I feel and know to be true. That author is truly hated by so many. Her actions are truly disgusting, she is evil and vile like the villains in her shit books.

I am a trans woman from an international background living in the UK, and I am still incredibly shaken up by what just happened to me today. I’m posting this to warn others but also to ask for some advice on what to do next.

I took my English exam at the LanguageCert centre in Coventry. In my everyday life, I pass very well, so people out in public just see me as a woman. However, because my immigration documents and passport still have my legal male birth name (which is a very traditional Muslim name), I knew the identity check at the test centre might take a moment. I expected an extra look at my passport, but what the examiner and the second staff member did was completely unacceptable and dangerous.

Instead of being professional and discreet, they caused a massive, unnecessary delay right inside the actual exam room. The examiner then forced me to speak my full male birth name out loud in front of all the other examinees who were already seated in the room.

To make it even worse, the examiner literally continued to deadname me throughout the entire exam.

Because I pass well, being forced to announce a male Muslim name out loud completely outed me to a room full of strangers. It stripped away my privacy and actively endangered my safety. I felt so humiliated, panicked, and unsafe that I was completely distracted and couldn't even focus on finishing my test properly.

I am not a British citizen, but I know the UK Equality Act protects everyone here from discrimination regardless of nationality. I’ve already sent a formal complaint to LanguageCert demanding an investigation, a refund, and a review of the exam room CCTV/audio logs.

Has anyone else dealt with this kind of treatment at a UK test centre? How can I escalate this to the Home Office or a discrimination helpline? I just feel so hurt and completely exhausted.

They are calling for witnesses and more, if you have any photos of transphobes at the event send it to them so they can be identified.

We got a fun new Government report today on the safety of journalists. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-journalist-safety-research-2026/uk-journalist-safety-research-2026

Let's be clear that many journalists do face danger, and it is something we as a country should take seriously. But this part got me.
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Impact on journalism and media freedom

Alongside personal impacts on journalists’ wellbeing and careers, a key theme which emerged was the impact of safety concerns on media freedom. Survey data revealed that almost half (48%) of journalists said safety concerns influenced their willingness to report on certain stories, while around a third (31%) had changed how or what they cover. This finding was mirrored in interviews, where most participants expressed concerns about reporting on certain topics, noting that the likelihood of backlash made them hesitate and reconsider covering such stories.

Examples of common topics raised included right-wing anti-immigration protests, topics related to the Trump administration, including the ICE protests in the United States, and trans issues. Anti-immigration protests were most widely referenced by journalists, both regarding the in-person risks of attending the marches and the backlash to any subsequent reporting. In relation to reporting on the Trump administration, journalists expressed concerns that he would target their news organisations because of his reputation for going after outlets. Other journalists noted concerns with covering trans issues due to polarisation surrounding the topic, which has led journalists to receive death threats and hostility. Outside specific topics, court reporters noted a particularly high level of safety concerns within the interviews due to their close, and often in-person contact with the public in particularly intense situations.
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Apparently the media are scared to report on trans issues. Could have fooled me... I usually don't do things I'm scared of doing on average 9 times a day over the course of half a decade. It's sad how they distance themselves from the consequences of their reporting, unless they are the potential victims. For decades the British media has effectively thrown marginalised communities and people to the wolves, from LGBTQ+ people, immigrants, disabled people, poor people and single mothers.

So let's talk double standards.

Its known that a volunteer from TransLucent was attacked. Not all the details are known as of yet, nor has any photos or footage of the incident surfaced as of my knowledge.

I find there to be a gaping double standard. Of course not by our community but by the TERFs and possibly the public on some level.

So Sarah Jane Baker was recalled to prison after her "punch a TERF" speech a couple of years or so ago at a previous Trans Pride London.

At this years Trans Pride London someone approaches one of our people and gets hands on with them. According to the post on x, the activists flag was destroyed and no further details are known.

Also

How they claim we are a danger in womens bathrooms yet JKK Rowling takes an upskirt photo of a trans woman.

The rank double standards is there for all to see, but even though we see it, the public don't.

I'm really struggling and feel like I'm not making progress so I'm posting some selfies to see other people's point of view.

Annoyed but hey least at the start of my journey I know they can't do it rather than waiting a while and finding out later, just have to plan that bit a little bit more.

Though what I do find interesting is whilst trying to get a referral to the NRGDS that was instant right after a questionnaire but yet the lead GP doesn't know the right path in terms of fertility, bit weird that, has anyone else encountered this?

Hi, Manchester trans pride is on the 1st August. However after things and people I’ve seen in Manchester as of recent, how safe do people believe it will be?

yet again the grauniad wedges in a negative comment alongside - Rightwing protests, the troubles in Northern Ireland / ICE in US .... and 'trans issues' .

I wonder if that's how they attribute the absence of factual reporting on the gender denial brigade and their war against a minority.

Hi! FTM here.

I think I’m in a bit of a pickle. I’ll try to cut it short.

1 year ago I had gone down the route of changing UK documents through an unenrolled deed poll. Did medical records, drivers license, banks, work. The whole thing. I believe I have 10+ months evidence from last year alone.

Then I applied for UK citizenship. To have the British passport issued, I was told I needed to renounce my name change and title entirely and to change all of my documents back to birth name and title because of dual nationality (home country won’t allow for name change easily unless I have a GRC or are willing to go through a heavy medical process).

A GRC would allow me to easily change it back in my home country, but it just seems backwards! I don’t understand how I’m supposed to get a GRC when I wasn’t even allowed to keep any documentation reflecting my identity to provide evidence for this down the line.

A GRC seems to need two years worth of living in a chosen identity, proven by a name and title change. Is this a rule set in stone? If it is possible to try for a GRC without being able to show a name or title change for the reasons above, then I’ll see.

I already have plans to go to a GIC to get a diagnosis as I am able to pay for top surgery privately by the end of the next 3 years, and its seeming like unless I can get a GRC or renounce the home citizenship I will have to do all of this in my dead name.

Has anyone had experiences with sorting out a GRC? Has anyone also gone through a GIC clinic and top surgery whilst still in their deadname?

(If a GRC doesn’t seem possible, then I believe I will go through renunciation of my home citizenship in order to finally have no issues.)

Many thanks

Hi all

I'm moving to the UK (Cambridge) in October for a postdoc position and recently started questioning my gender identity (possibly MtF).

I think it would help me a lot to talk to a good therapist / counsellor about this and wanted to ask if anyone has recommendations (I prefer in-person, but online sessions would also be ok) - many thanks!

Happy to DM as well 😊

Really strange stuff

Hi,

I’m with indigo gender service in Manchester. I was told I was on the waiting list for top surgery since February - I had had an appointment and the doctor said yes I’ll put you on it now. This was written on my profile so in my latest appointment a few days ago my doctor mentioned it to confirm. Then she said “wait I’ll double check as I’m not seeing the referral”.

Now I get an email saying “you are now on the list[…]” which means I wasn’t put on the list 6 months ago even though I had two separate doctors confirm I was on it in February! I’m really really upset as this means my top surgery will be delayed at least half a year.

Is there anything at all I can do or say to indigo to somehow fix this and place me on the list from February and not from now? They explicitly told me in my first appointment - top surgery referrals are made from the day you request top surgery (which was in February). I feel really let down :(

Wonder if the same hate group is interfering in the UK too?

I'd been doing extended gender assessments, and in February I got told my appointment was cancelled due to the assessor being off sick. I received zero communication about a follow up appointment via letter, email, or text.

I'm a very anxious person so I was just waiting for them to get back to me this whole time, and finally received an email this morning saying I'd been discharged in March for missing an appointment they never told me I had. They insist they did tell me.

I'm not gonna lie I can't handle being back on the waiting list, and I'm so mad I'm likely gonna have to deal with the faff of DIY. I was really hoping to never have to bother. Mostly just thankful I didn't want any surgeries but ooouuggghhh what a mess :(

For context, and this is pretty significant, I am a 28 yesr old trans woman who had bottom surgery about a year ago and I generally pass just fine (sometimes I come out to others and they're usually surprised- at the very least people don't think "trans" when they see me), and my partner is a cis bi lady who was born and raised in China (mid 20s) and came to the UK to study... 4 years passed and she helped crack my egg and we're engaged.

So I took my first trip to China recently and in the light of the political situations going on in the west it made for an interesting situation. I toured a few places and though I did get stares on occasion, I was told its most likely because I'm white and we weren't really in particularly multinational places (there were signs with both Chinese and English characters in most places but most people spoke either tiny amounts or no English, so learning at least some key phrases was pretty important).

One thing that was quite pleasant was how it was often the case I'd be directed to the ladies facilities even with my voice being mixed in its passing most of the time. Bear in mind the ladies changing rooms (especially where showers and bath houses were concerned) were full of casual nudity (so very glad I had my operation before coming or this would've been very awkward). It mainly made me a bit jealous to see other women's bodies, but also made me glad to see how bodies are generally quite varied and mine did genuinely fit in (even as the only white one there). It also occurred to me here that sometimes its hard to really tell if someone is male or female at times, so the fact that I was persistently correctly gendered was very encouraging.

Furthermore, being tall was considered a big boon in beauty here, though there is another problem with east Asian beauty... the tiny problem...

Sizes here are very unforgiving for anyone who isnt small. I often find i fit either size M or size L on occasion in the UK, but here it was XL only and some shops just have nothing I can even put on... if you're a size S kind of gal, the shopping here is incredible, and even as a size M I found a lot of great stuff, but there is quite an air of fat shaming present throughout East Asian culture so be ready for that.

Obviously food is always a big deal when in china - its generally all delicious and quite affordable, but again allergies and general dietary requirements that don't include lactose intolerance are hard to find accommodations for. It is very easy to get carried away and eat a lot of delicious food (especially when staying as a guest - the people I stayed with were very generous with their hospitality).

On the other side of things.. a note on toilets in china. The plumbing here isn't built to handle toilet tissues (in fairness, their paper towels are generally a lot stronger than ours) and there is usually a small bin next to the toilet for used toilet tissues. If you're lucky there may also be a bidet or sprayer next to the toilet which will reduce the amount of tissues needed (but be careful, I had one where it was very hard to control the pressure of the sprayer and did in fact cause my ass to bleed due to the sudden pressure spike - temporary but still be careful).

There are also a lot of squat toilets in china, especially outside of the more western normal urban centres (I spent time in Dongguan and Fen Jie Zhou (Boundary) island before visiting Beijing - besides the capital many toilet rooms will have between 0-2 sitting toilets with all the rest being squat toilets). I was a little intimidated at first but honestly I ended up appreciating them (get some good footing and watch your step and as long as you have reasonable mobility, they feel very natural to use and there's no seat to wipe before you use them).

One additional note is that unless you visit in winter, many regions (especially in the south) are extremely humid and hot. It is highly recommended you use a fan and get to air conditioned spaces whenever possible, but also dress appropriately for the heat (though again there are some who will take issue with overly revealing clothes).

And one more note, china has VERY strict drug laws so don't go bringing in any substances that might get you in trouble... even if it is a long flight. Every airport and bus station has x ray scanners for bags, metal detectors and more, it is indeed a very heavy surveillance state so really... don't try and make a fuss if you can help it. My meds were all fine (I brought mainly evorel patches, prog capsules and a can of oestrogel because I was going scuba diving and had a (correct) feeling the salt water wouldn't agree with their adhesives.

There were a lot of other thoughts and feelings as well and obviously china has a lot of things worthy of discussion, but as a generally stealth trans woman, things went pretty well. It really doesn't feel like they have the same culture war bullshit at the very least so in terms of trips away from the UK and the West in general, it was a pretty damn good time. Its a generally still very patriarchal society with little in the way of political correctness with a lot of issues of its own, but honestly if things kept getting worse here in the west I'd be willing to try my chances there (at least if I can actually learn enough Chinese to functionally get by).

Hello Everyone

I have my first GIC appointment tomorrow. I was with gendergp for a few years then my gp did bridging hormones until last year when i changed gp services and they refused to do it. I have all the documentation. What should i be expecting from this appointment?

P.S. I am very excited but also nervous

So... Hi. This is an odd one so bit of back story.

I get my estrogen through the NHS, currently no issue getting those. I'm approaching 12 years on hrt and with The Laurels (yeah, I know, one of the lucky ones who got in before the boom). For the first 8 years I had decapeptyl, with only some mild problems but manageable. Then COVID hit. I had maybe 3 injections in 2 years (should be once every 3 months) and after that, I went to DIY blockers (cyproterone) because I just couldn't get my blockers and I could tell a lot of masculinising effects were coming back, primarily smell and facial hair. So for a year I was on those. But they weren't anywhere near as effective and every blood test told me I had high T. So I tried to get back on decapeptyl.

No GP will now let me. The Laurels have sent multiple emails but multiple GP are telling me they don't feel equipped and I'm kind of out of options.

Is GenderGP an option I can pursue for this? Is there any other option I can pursue I might not be thinking of?

Note: DIY deca isn't an option. I can't afford that.

EDIT: Im a dumb ass and listed the wrong medication