“Show us your ball sack”

• Posted by R Fox November 24, 2014 #crime  #  #stonewall  #TDOR  #allies  #ally trans  1,903 views
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  I make no apology for the title of this blog as I am simply quoting what a young man said to me in Manchester City Centre on Saturday evening at 9:30PM. It was the second thing that was said to me by the group of people on a busy street – the first being pointed t rather aggressively and being told “You’re a man”.

   

  This behaviour is not acceptable – and yet it takes place. It happened to me.

   

  It could have ended nastily if I had reacted in any significant way - I didn't esculate the situation. I didn’t, but it also didn’t stop me going about my business of getting some washing tablets and milk, and returning home. Why should it stop me? Why should their ignorance and hostility stop me from being me and expressing myself?

   

  I did care – but I have other things on my mind that where more important to me than these two bigoted fools and their friends who had nothing better to do than try and bully and intimidate me.

   

  Firstly, I had just returned from Birmingham where I’d met with Stonewall who are embarking on Trans engagement. Adding the T to their LGB. Ruth Hunt is to be congratulated on her efforts and tone of the session. I now understand how Stonewall are approaching this omission and understand why it was missed for so long – I can’t wait to see where they take it. We need powerful organisation to lobby for change. Things are getting better and people do care for trans – regardless of where you or I are on the spectrum – our allies are important.

   

  I also knew that with 24 hours I would be attending the TDoR event in Manchester. This was an incredible moving event as I proud to be there as part as a representative of Sparkle, the fantastic attendance from trans and non-trans people (trans allies), the mix of trans people from all spectrums, and the finally the very visible attendance of people that were trans-masculine. I was going there to remember those people who had suffered something far worse than abuse on the street – the 226 people we remember had paid with their lives in the last twelve months.

   

  Today I reported it as a hate crime using the on-line form (and yes I will chase it up tomorrow if I don’t get a response).

   

  Transphobic abuse has risen 54% according to home office figures last year – it has to stop and we need to be able to express ourselves when we like in safety.

   

  Remember you don’t need to be trans to fight for trans causes – so we (trans people) need to share our issues and let other people be our allies to help improve our rights, increase awareness through education and good media attention, be out in public presenting a great image of being trans – only this will enable ourselves and future trans people in the UK and other countries to have and make choices that will lead to more fulfilling and rewarding lives.