Trans+ Safety Group - Leicester

Trans+ Safety Group - Leicester

Location: Pret A Manger

Purpose: The intention of this event is to create a safety group for transgender & gender non-conforming people living in leicester.

Why it's important: The supreme court ruling has had a devastating impact on the trans community, leading to individuals feeling unsafe, unheard, and unvalued. Many trans people feel extra concious out in public; the constant question "is this venue trans inclusive?", or "Does this business have trans inclusive policies?". That anxiety existed prior to the ruling, but the ruling has amplified it. The reality is, organisations & institutions are applying the ruling into their policies (not all), and there are many spaces that used to be trans inclusive, that no longer are.

Vision: To build on the numbers (the more the merrier) for this support group, explore different venues & enjoy the weather. Rather than always being cramped indoors or staying in one place, we can go for wellness walks, venture around museums/nature, have picnics and enjoy the weather.

The group creates an opportunity for trans people to make long-lasting friendships with other trans people. Individuals are more than welcome to meetup outside the group, & if numbers get excessively large, "sub-groups" may emerge.

Once the group's formed, we will make a group chat (via whatsapp), which allows for individuals to share highs & lows. The main intention of the group chat is to create a safe space: for example, if your out in the community & you experience something that makes you feel unsafe, you can voice that experience in the group chat & recieve immediate emotional support & advice. We will have guests come in and give talks on topics highly relevant & important to the trans community, and may even have people cover sessions, running workshops in a variety of creative & interesting things.

The group leader will be working with Transgender Organisations & Stonewall to create a high-quality safety plan for trans individuals (this helps people keep themselves safe in the community & feel safer), and to create a strong ethical policy.

Target Audience: This safety/support group is for transgender & gender non-conforming individuals. We are open to cis-gendered individuals attending as a one-off out of curiousity, however, we advise against taking space from those who need it the most.

If your transgender & you experience social anxiety out in the community, wether that be around: Passing, social discrimination, hate crime, lack of family support or social support, and of course, wether or not the local spaces around you are trans-inclusive, then this group is for you.

Impact Initiatives: To bring transgender people in leicester together into a united community, so no-one feels alone. To make trans people feel safe & heard. To create space for people to make friends. To create a emotional support network, so no-one ever has to deal with struggles alone. For each group member to have an individualised safety plan created for them.

About the Group Leader: Tiahnna (pronounced Tee-Yann-a), otherwise known as T, is passionate about making a positive impact on the transgender community. The passion ignites from a place deep within: she values equity, inclusivity in all its forms, and creating this group allows her to channel that passion. She's on the board of trustees for Leicester LGBTQIA+ Centre, & has upcoming plans to work with Trade LGBTQ Health, she will be running health & wellbeing services for the transgender community in partnership with them. She identifies as part of the LGBTQIA+ Community, and has a feirce commitment to show up as an ally.

She's an independant business owner, (some info cannot be displayed as her business hasn't been intellectual property protected yet), but her business is in Dance, Arts & Health. Her proffessional background mostly sits in dance, and she has a lot of research under her belt on pyschology, emotional intelligence, nutrition, & other health related topics. Eventually this group will be led by 2 individuals, who will "swap" between running sessions, so 1 week T, one week "Susan". (example name). This group is in it's early stages of development & that second person hasn't been found yet. T will run interviews & make sure she selects the right person.

Regularity: Monthly

Contact: [email protected]

Policies: (currently being created), but they are (obviously) trans-inclusive.

Host or Publisher Tiahnna Richards (T)