Trans Notes from a Small Island: United Through Pride
September in the Channel Islands has seen three firsts: the first pan-island Pride, the first Equality & Diversity Awards and the first award by a tribunal of compensation for hurt and distress from discriminatory behaviour in the workplace. Pride was a truly pan-island event this year with a whole week of celebrations in both the […]
Trans Notes from a Small Island: Brexit Blues
In 1990, the crime of sodomy between two consenting adult males in private still existed in Jersey. In light of the number of HIV and AIDS related deaths that had been rising at an alarming rate throughout the 1980s, the States of Jersey led by the uninformed, prejudiced and fearful Health and Legislation Ministers resisted […]
Trans Notes from a Small Island: Talking Toilets
So, this week, the trans toilet argument hit the press in Jersey, the Channel Island where I live and work. Using our new discrimination laws, a trans woman brought a case against our local ferry company for discrimination. When she asked which toilet she should use, she was directed to the disabled cubicle. She was […]
Trans Notes from a Small Island: The Danish Experience
Tonight is the Oscars. Criticised this year for its lack of racial diversity, it has however diversified in the category of gender and sexuality. It would have been impossible not to with “The Danish Girl” and “Carol” in the mix, lush period movies with half an eye on an award if ever there were. “The […]
Trans Notes from a Small Island: Customer Service is a Two-Way Street
On 1 September 2015, the second plank of Jersey’s discrimination legislation came into force. As a trans person on the island you are protected under the characteristic of gender reassignment. Now if you experience less favourable treatment in the workplace, as either an employee or a client of a provider of goods and services, you […]
Trans Notes from a Small Island: Everyone Deserves Pride
The Channel Islands held their first ever Pride event last weekend. It was held in my home island, Jersey, and I was part of the organising committee, with responsibility for delivering the parade safely from its starting point to its end. This meant that I saw very little of the parade and my enjoyment of […]
Trans Notes from a Small Island: Smooth Transitioning Within Marriage
The States of Jersey lodged a proposal this week regarding introducing same-sex marriage in Jersey. This is a document that outlines the issues for debate and where the proposer, our Chief Minister Senator Ian Gorst, stands on the issue. You can read the whole proposal here. The proposal is wide ranging as Senator Gorst and […]
Trans Notes From a Small Island: The Benefits of Being a Follower not a Leader
When I tell people from other countries where I come from, they always ask what it’s like to be a trans man in such a small place. There is an assumption that the more cosmopolitan a place is, the more cultural influences it absorbs, the more tolerant it is. I’m not sure this is true. […]