THEGAYUK

Tag: Trans

This is where you can find all articles about and for the trans community. Are we missing something? Send an email to newsdesk@thegayuk.com

  • ANSWERS: What Does The Law Say About Employment Rights For Trans People?

    What does the law say about Employment Rights For Trans People?

    (more…)

  • ANSWERS: I have heard my employer can dismiss me for being transgender – is this true?

    I have heard my employer can dismiss me for being transgender – is this true? (more…)

  • ANSWERS: Do I have to disclose that I am transgender at work?

    Do I have to disclose that I am transgender?

    There may be some circumstances where you may be obliged to disclose your gender history, such as for background criminal checks or insurance. However, this does not mean you have to disclose your biological gender to your colleagues or even your manager if you do not wish to.

    An employer has a duty to keep such information confidential and you can approach a manager or HR officer for advice if necessary.

    By Zee Hussain, partner and Head of the Employment Department at Colemans-ctts

  • ANSWERS: I have decided to live life as my target gender, how do I “come out” to my colleagues?

    I have decided to live life as my target gender, how do I ‘come out’ to my colleagues?

    Every individual’s journey is extremely personal. It is natural for people to ask questions but that does not mean that you have to answer anything you are not comfortable with and you should politely, but firmly, assert your boundaries.

    However, we would encourage you to discuss your situation with your manager in the first instance so they can make arrangements to cover any absence, and how you can be supported during your transition. For example, some people would prefer to tell colleagues on an individual basis and others would like an email sent out to their colleagues.

    By Zee Hussain, partner and Head of the Employment Department at Colemans-ctts

  • ANSWERS: A Work Colleague Is Making Me Uncomfortable Through My Transition, What Can I Do?

    My colleagues have been largely supportive, but there is one who is making me really uncomfortable by joking about my physical appearance and changes. What do I do?

    Firstly, be aware that you do not have to tolerate any behaviour or comments about your gender or transition that you find humiliating, hostile, degrading or offensive. This is known as harassment under the Equality Act 2010.

    However, there can be a number of ways to handle the matter depending on the individuals concerned. You could lodge a formal grievance and ask your employer to investigate and take action, or if you prefer, explain to the individual that you want the comments to stop. Either way, keep a diary of any incidents and keep your manager informed so they can monitor the situation.

    By Zee Hussain, partner and Head of the Employment Department at Colemans-ctts

  • ANSWERS: I have various treatments planned as part of my gender reassignment? Am I entitled to time off?

    I have various treatments planned as part of my gender reassignment? Am I entitled to time off?

    The Equality Act 2010 specifically states that an employer cannot treat you less favourably than any other employee because you have had time off as part of the gender reassignment process. As a result, we encourage employers to record such time off separately so it is discounted when considering any promotion, access to bonuses etc.

    Whether the time is paid depends on your employers policies. There is no obligation to offer paid leave unless there is company sick pay etc.

    By Zee Hussain, partner and Head of the Employment Department at Colemans-ctts

    BACK TO THE LEGAL CLINIC

  • Petition To Halt The Sale Of Caitlyn Jenner Costume Reaches 1000

    A petition to stop the sale of a Caitlyn Jenner Halloween costume has reached over 2000 signatures.

    A petition calling for the sale, production and marketing of a “transphobic” Caitlyn Jenner Halloween costume to halt has garnered over 1,800 signatures.

    The petitioner demands that Spirit Halloween, the makers of the costume revoke their ideas and production of a costume which mimics the famous Vanity Fair cover, complete with sash that reads, I Am Caitlyn, the name of Jenner’s new reality show.

    The costume is currently on pre-order for $63.74 (£40.75)

    The statement from Addison Vincent, who started the petition says,

    “Yes, as your PR and marketing head Trisha Lombardo stated in an interview, Caitlyn Jenner is a hero and celebrated in modern day culture, but that doesn’t excuse the exploitation and transphobia you’ll be committing this Halloween.

    “To make a costume out of a marginalized identity reduces that person and community to a stereotype for privileged people to abuse. In this case, if you follow through with production of a Caitlyn Jenner costume, cisgender people will purchase it to make fun of her and our community.

    “At a time when trans women and GNC folx, especially black trans women, are being murdered at such a high rate, and homelessness, unemployment, and inaccessbility to healthcare run rampant in our community, making fun of one or all of us is utterly insensitive and deplorable.”

     

  • Retailer Apparently Plans To Sell Caitlyn Jenner Halloween Costume

    Possibly the worst taste idea for a Halloween costume has emerged from the states, as a retailer apparently plans to sell a Caitlyn Jenner costume.

    Plans are apparently afoot to stock and sell a Halloween costume based on one of Caitlyn Jenner’s iconic looks.

    A firm called Spirit Halloween has revealed to Confidenti@l that it plans to sell the insensitive costume. Speaking to MyDailingNews the retailer’s spokeswoman, Trisha Lombardo said,

    “Of course!, Caitlyn Jenner has proven to be the most important real-life superhero of the year, and Spirit Halloween is proud to carry the costume that celebrates her.”

     

  • Caitlyn Jenner: Six Most Iconic Looks

    Caitlyn Jenner has wowed with her iconic sense of style. Here’s 6 of her top looks.

    CLASSIC GODDESS

    At the EPSYS Caitlyn stunned the audience with her look, poise and grace. An emotional speech from her brought the house down.

    BLUE LACE

    Classic lace and showing off her fantastic legs, Caitlyn looks at ease as she steps out on Broadway to see An American In Paris.

    LEOPARD PRINT

    Who can resist a bit of animal print.? Caitlyn takes on the big cats and wins…

    SHOULDER PADS

    Welcome to the 80s. We love this look… classy but statement.

    DRESS DOWN ROCK CHICK

    Caityln looks stunning with a simple leather jacket and body con dress at the Culture Club concert at the Greek Theatre.

    LBD

    Where would any woman be without the Little Black Dress. For decades the LBD has been a staple for women about town.

  • Artist Turns Caitlyn Trans Hate Into Work Of Art

    The artist who turned homophobic hate for Tom Daley into an incredible portrait, has worked his magic again by turning 100 messages of hate and death threats against Caitlyn Jenner into a work of art.

     

    CREDIT: Conor Collins

     

     

    In 2014, Conor Collins took hundreds of homophobic messages about diver Tom Daley from Twitter and created a stunning work of art out of him.

    Now he’s turned his attention to Caitlyn Jenner, taking transphobic hate messages that he found online and recreating the now famous Vanity Fair cover of Ms. Jenner.

    Speaking to the HuffPo Collins said,

    “I admire what Caitlyn has done and how she has used her position and privilege to make a difference,

    “So, naturally like anyone curious, I went on her Twitter to see more and was horrified by some of the comments. When I saw these I wanted to show them because it is a reality of what trans people experience every day.”

    “Caitlyn is making a difference to the trans community however I didn’t want to hide the darkness and persecution [trans people] face in my art piece,”

    In 2014, articles from various news sources suggested that the Manchester based artist had sold the Tom Daley piece, but he rebuffed the suggestions saying,

    “Been told there are articles saying ive sold my Tom Daley piece! I’ve not!! It’s not my intention to make money from this piece!”

     

    Collins shared the portrait of Caitlyn Jenner on Twitter and it was retweeted 2,800 times and favourited 5,600 times.

  • COMMENT | Why Free Pride Glasgow are Offensive, Not Cis Drag Queens

    Over the past couple of years, I have been noticing a worrying pattern of behaviour amongst a number of LGBT people, who seemingly take offence to absolutely everything and cry outrage at the drop of a hat.

    Whether it’s being offended over the naming of a road, the use of the word queer, or the inclusion of UKIP in a Pride parade, I often feel much of this ‘outrage’ is unnecessary and rarely take offence to things myself. Sometimes we need to lighten up a bit and consider the bigger picture. However, on hearing the news that Free Pride Glasgow have banned cis drag performers, I am on the side of those who are outraged at the decision.

    I had not heard of Free Pride Glasgow until the news of their drag ban was posted all over Twitter. After doing a bit of research on the event, on one hand I admire what they’re about. I organise a Pride event myself and do my best to ensure it’s not a commercial event. It’s all about the community and I feel that Prides should be free events that are accessible to all. However, on the other hand, I feel that Free Pride Glasgow are a bit militant in their views and the way they are going about things. For starters, putting their event on the same day as the mainstream Glasgow Pride is a bit confrontational. Then, of course, we come to the decision to ban cis drag performers from being a part of Free Pride Glasgow.

    Drag Queens are a huge part of our history and culture. Without Drag Queens we wouldn’t have many of the freedoms we take for granted today. The Stonewall riots in the 60s were started by Drag Queens and for that reason we have much to thank them for. To ban cis drag performers is to ignore a large part of our culture. I genuinely feel that the organisers of Free Pride Glasgow should be ashamed of themselves. It doesn’t appear to be in the spirit of being ‘free’, nor in the spirit of Pride.

    Pride festivals need to be inclusive of all people, whether they be lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans*, cis, non-cis, straight, black, white, purple, orange or anything else. They should be open to anybody who wants to celebrate diversity and our rich LGBT culture, and that should extend to entertainers. Banning cis drag performers makes Free Pride Glasgow an exclusive event, not an inclusive one.

    A solution to this situation would be for Free Pride Glasgow to allow cis drag performers to be a part of their event, but to have them perform in a specific drag area like some other Pride events do. That way, those who are not offended by cis drag artists can see them perform, and those who are offended by cis drag artists don’t have to see them.

    There are clearly ways around this that would benefit everyone. However, Free Pride Glasgow are choosing to bow to pressure from one section of our community and alienate a whole other section in the process. The organisers are doing nothing to further our cause by taking this action. In fact, they are contributing to a divide in our community that I fear is growing at a time when we all need to be on the same side. For that, they should be ashamed of themselves.

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