Highlighting Bi+ Visibility: A Glimpse into the Spectrum at the University of Edinburgh

Bi+ Visibility Day, celebrated annually on September 23, serves as a cornerstone for acknowledging and honouring the diverse identities encompassed within the Bi+ umbrella*, which includes bisexual, biromantic, and other non-monosexual identities. It’s a day dedicated to fostering understanding, dispelling misconceptions, and encouraging discourse around bisexuality within and beyond LGBT+ spaces.

At the University of Edinburgh, the Staff Pride Network (SPN) has participated in Bi+ Visibility Day to underline the significance of this day. In 2020, SPN organized an online event where members, along with the Pridesoc student network, engaged in dialogues to delve into the diverse experiences of Bi+ individuals, with a particular focus on inclusivity for BAME/PoC Bi+ people and Bi+ people with disabilities¹².

In 2021, a panel discussion co-hosted by SPN and PrideSoc delved into the evolution of Bi+ visibility through digital platforms, emphasizing the potential of online spaces in promoting Bi+ visibility and community engagement³.

The engagement in Bi+ Visibility Day events not only provides a platform for discussions and learning but also reflects a step towards fostering a culture of acceptance and understanding within the academic environment. Through such events, the discourse on inclusivity, acceptance, and the challenges faced by the Bi+ community is propelled, aiding in crafting a more informed and supportive environment for all.

Below: SPN volunteers telling people about Bi+ Visibility Day and the intersectional inclusion work going on at UoE by the Staff Pride Network at Door Open Day Edinburgh at the Playfair Library. Thanks to Rachel, Regina, Julie, Michelle and Jonathan for hosting. #BiVisibilityDay #DoorsOpenDay

Edinburgh Neuroscience posing with the Staff Pride Network at Doors open day

Telling people about Bi+ Visibility Day and the intersectional inclusion work going on at UoE by the Staff Pride Network today & tomorrow at @DODEdinburgh at the Playfair Library. Thanks to Rachel, Regina, Julie, Michelle and Jonathan for hosting. #BiVisibilityDay #DoorsOpenDay

Bi Visibility Day 2020: Solidarity Across The Distance – Staff Pride Network
- URL: blogs.ed.ac.uk¹
Bi+ Visibility Day 2021 Becoming Visible in a Digital World
- URL: blog.ed.ac.uk²
Bi Visibility Day 2020: Solidarity Across The Distance
- URL: media.ed.ac.uk³

*The term ‘Bi+’ in this context relates to an umbrella definition of bisexuality that includes people who are attracted to more than one gender, and may self-identify as bisexual, pansexual, omnisexual, bi-romantic, questioning or bi-curious, to name but a few identities. We recognise that identities are unique and sometimes cannot be easily defined with labels. The Bi+ community is inclusive of trans and non-binary people.

Celebrating Non-Binary Awareness Week

Hello SPN members,

This week, we’re celebrating Non-Binary Awareness Week, an important event that shines a spotlight on individuals who identify as non-binary. Non-binary is a term that refers to people whose gender is not completely and exclusively male or female. They can identify with not having gender at all, with both binary genders, with a third identity, or an identity which can change over time. Non-binary people fall under the transgender umbrella term, and non-binary is an umbrella term itself, although some people use it to describe their specific gender identity too.

Non-Binary Awareness Week, observed from July 11th to 17th, is a time to raise visibility and recognition for non-binary people. It’s also an opportunity to educate others about the issues non-binary individuals face, such as discrimination and lack of societal recognition.

Non-binary people have always been a part of our communities, contributing to our societies in countless ways. They are our friends, family members, colleagues, and neighbours. Yet, they often face unique challenges due to societal norms and expectations around gender.

At the Staff Pride Network (SPN), we strive to create a safe, supportive, and welcoming environment for all our members, including those who identify as non-binary. We believe in the importance of intersectionality and inclusivity, recognizing and celebrating the diversity within our community.

As part of our initiatives, we encourage our non-binary members to update their personal information on People and Money to reflect their identity. When logged in to People & Money, select: Additional Personal Info, once on that page use the drop-down list to select protected characteristics and click the pencil icon to edit.

We also want to highlight some notable non-binary individuals who have made significant contributions in various fields. You can learn more about them here.

As we celebrate Non-Binary Awareness Week, let’s take this opportunity to learn, grow, and support each other. Let’s continue to make SPN a space where everyone feels seen, heard, and valued.

Happy Non-Binary Awareness Week!

Decoding the Hidden Messages: A Look at Dog Whistles in the Gender Critical Movement

Have you ever heard a phrase and felt like there was more to it than meets the eye? That’s the essence of a “dog whistle” – a term that’s been buzzing around a lot lately. But what exactly does it mean, and how does it relate to the gender critical movement? Let’s dive in!

What’s a Dog Whistle Anyway?

Imagine a whistle that only dogs can hear. Now, apply that concept to language. A dog whistle, in the realm of communication, is a coded message. It’s a phrase that seems ordinary but carries a hidden meaning for a specific group.

Dog Whistles and the Gender Critical Movement

The gender critical movement, which often questions the concept of gender identity separate from biological sex, has been known to use dog whistles. Let’s take a look at some examples:

Dog Whistle Phrase	Surface Meaning	Hidden Meaning
“Sex Matters”	Only your birth sex should matter	Used to deny the validity of transgender identities
“Homosexual Means Same Sex Attracted”	Gay men are attracted to trans women	Used to deny the validity of trans women’s identities
“Defend Women’s Sports”	Advocating for fair competition in women’s sports	Used to exclude trans women and girls from all sports at every level
“Keep Prisons Single Sex”	Advocating for safety in prisons	Used to argue for placing vulnerable trans women in men’s prisons
“Woman: Adult Human Female”	A biological definition of a woman	Used to assert that trans women are men and shouldn’t have protection from misogyny etc
“Defending Sex Based Rights”	Advocating for rights based on one’s biological sex	Used to argue against rights for transgender individuals
“Watchful Waiting”	A cautious approach to medical transition	Used to delay or block transition for as long as possible
“Protect Single Sex Spaces”	Advocating for the safety and rights of women	Used to exclude trans people from single sex spaces
“Exploratory therapy”	A therapeutic approach to understanding gender identity	Used as a euphemism for conversion therapy

Why Should We Care?

Dog whistles can perpetuate harmful stereotypes and contribute to a culture of exclusion. In the context of the gender critical movement, they can marginalize and stigmatize transgender individuals.

Wrapping Up

Dog whistles are like secret codes in our everyday language. They can subtly convey controversial ideas, making them a powerful tool in social and political discourse. Recognizing these hidden messages is the first step towards promoting inclusivity and combating discrimination. So, the next time you hear a phrase that seems loaded, take a moment to listen closely. You might just hear a dog whistle.

Want to Know More?

If you’re interested in diving deeper into this topic, we highly recommend watching the original video lecture that inspired this article. It provides a comprehensive overview of dog whistles used by the gender critical movement. You can watch the video here

Where to get a rainbow/progress pride lanyard?

While SPN still tries to keep a stock of lanyards for giving out to members at events card services has taken over widescale distribution:

Progress pride rainbow lanyards can be collected by staff at any IS Library Helpdesk including EdHelp Desks at Main Library and Kings Buildings.

To see all card help desks where lanyards can be collected from:

https://www.ed.ac.uk/information-services/help-consultancy/card/card-help-desks

Students or depts who want to bulk order these can arrange this via UniDesk:

Please email IS.Helpline@ed.ac.uk with FAO EdHelp – Card Services as the subject.

Celebrating Pride: Exciting June Events

Hello SPN Members,

This June, we have a fantastic line-up of events to celebrate Pride Month. From discussions and seminars to performances and marches, there’s something for everyone. Here are the details:

Queer Neurodivergence and Synesthesia: Podcast Discussion with Maike Engage in an enlightening discussion with Maike, a queer neurodivergent psychologist and synesthesia artist. Topics include being queer and/or neurodivergent in Edinburgh/Scotland, accommodating queer and neurodivergent students/staff at universities and workplaces, synesthesia, and more. Interested? Contact Maike via email at synesthes_a@outlook.com.
Little France Pride March Join the LGBT+ Staff networks for NHS Lothian and the University of Edinburgh, along with the Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity for the first Little France Pride March to celebrate the start of Pride Month. The march will begin at 13:30, with participants encouraged to bring flags, banners, and face paint. Additionally, stalls from various staff networks will be available from 13:00 to 15:00 at the Chancellor’s Building reception. Even if you’re unable to participate in the full 1-mile march, come along to learn more about the support available for LGBTQI+ staff and allies. Date & Time: Friday, 2nd June 2023, Stalls open from 13:00 to 15:00, March begins at 13:30 Location: Chancellor’s Building Reception, University of Edinburgh More information and tickets: Eventbrite Link
Sex Education Xplorers at Summerhall: 3rd June A brilliantly performed, funny, and inclusive show, “Sex Education Xplorers” explores the fluidity of sex and gender. The show is performed by the husband of an SPN member and starts its tour of Scotland at Summerhall at 2pm and 6.30pm on Saturday, 3rd of June. Find out more here.
Pride, Protest and Place series: Creative Writing and Protest. Multiple dates: 5th & 6th June 2pm, sign up here. This is a creative writing workshop that will incorporate historical material from the Lothian Gay and Lesbian Switchboard archive. Workshop Co-Ordinator, Eloise Birtwhistle, will talk you through a range of writing exercises and you will explore the themes of queer protest and resistance.
Finding Our Past: How We Collect, Describe, Access, and Use LGBTQ+ Archives Join us for an online symposium on 7th June 2023 from 10:00 to 13:30 BST. We’ll explore themes from our project, such as confidentiality and accessing sensitive material, and discuss how we collect, describe, access, and understand information about the history of LGBTQ+ lives. Project Archivist Louise Neilson will be joined by Hannah Elizabeth, Stefan Dickers, Nicola Maksymuik, and Elliot Holmes, along with Keith Paterson, a former member of the Lothian Gay and Lesbian Switchboard. For more information and to book your place, please visit: Eventbrite
“You are beautiful just the way you are” LGBT+ Inclusive Service: 8th June An inclusive service at the Chaplaincy from 2-3pm, focusing on self-love and acceptance. Get your tickets here.
Pride, Protest and Place series: Zine Making! Multiple dates: 12th & 13th June 3.30pm sign up here. This is a zine making workshop that will incorporate historical material from the Lothian Gay and Lesbian Switchboard archive. Workshop Co-Ordinator, Eloise Birtwhistle, will provide a short introduction in to what zines are and how they have been used in the past, and will guide you through how to get started on making your own!
“Abuse That Dare Not Speak Its Name” Seminar: 14th June Join us for a seminar talk and launch event discussing gay men’s experience of intimate partner violence at the Apex Hotel, Waterloo Place, from 5-6pm. Reserve your spot here.
Bespoke Tour of the Pleasance Sports Complex The Sports Union is organising a bespoke tour of the Pleasance Sports Complex during Pride Month. This initiative aims to improve the health and well-being of all University staff by acknowledging and addressing the historic lack of support for LGBTQ+ individuals in sports and physical exercise. Join us on Thursday, 15 June at 1:00 PM for a 30-45 minute tour of our sporting facilities. Renovations are currently going on in the facility but we can still access a number of spaces. The aim of the tour is to showcase what facilities we have as part of the membership options and what is available to staff, as well as making people more comfortable in accessing the space. We will also have rainbow lanyards and pronoun badges available. To secure your place on the tour, please RSVP to Neil at Neil.Rankin@ed.ac.uk by 2:00 PM on Wednesday 14 June. If you have any specific accessibility needs, please let Neil know in advance so that we can accommodate them accordingly. The tour meeting point will be outside the entrance to the sports facility at 46 Pleasance (What.3.Words: ledge.spicy.train) We look forward to seeing you on Thursday and celebrating Pride Month together!
SPN/EREN Book Club: 20th June Join us for our first in-person book club in collaboration with Edinburgh Race Equality Network (EREN) and SPN to celebrate Pride month. We’ll be discussing Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo, a story of a young Chinese American girl navigating her identity and sexuality in San Francisco’s Chinatown during the 1950s. The meeting will be held in central Edinburgh, with the exact location to be confirmed soon. Register here.
Wellbeing Walk and Bake Sale at Edinburgh BioQuarter As part of the Pride Month celebrations, Edinburgh BioQuarter is planning to host a wellbeing walk and bake sale on the 22nd of June. More specific details, such as the time of the event and the chosen charity, will be announced soon. If you’d like to contribute a cake for the sale, please get in touch with Dom Cairns-Gibson at Dom.cairns-gibson@ed.ac.uk.
Banner Making for Pride Edinburgh: 22nd June Join us at Potterrow Dome from 4-6pm to create banners for the Pride Edinburgh March. Book your spot here.
Edinburgh Pride March: 24th June We’ll meet at Levels cafe on Holyrood Road from 11.30am, then walk down to Holyrood Parliament for midday. Wear your SPN t-shirts and join us in the march. For the complete route, click here. We will have the big SPN banner (see photo above) so all can find us along the route or if you want to meet us at the end by Bristo Square there will be the SPN stand in the window of the Informatics building on the Charles Street side near the brass Rino’s head (on the wall). We’ll be collecting people from there if you want to go to the SPN chillout space.
The BioQuarter LGBTQ+ Staff Committee is holding a Bake Sale, 11-2pm on Thursday the 29th June in aid of LGBT Youth Scotland. If anyone would like to contribute a cake to the stall, then that would be hugely appreciated, and they can be dropped off in the Chancellors foyer any time after 10:30 am tomorrow. They will also be giving out free pride lanyards and pronoun badges (first come, first served).

In addition to these exciting events, don’t forget our recurring monthly socials:

SPN Evening Social: First Friday of the Month Join us for great conversation at The Royal Dick Bar in Newington every first Friday of the month at 17:30. Next date: July 7th, 2023.
SPN Kings Buildings Coffee & Cake: Third Wednesday of the Month Join us at Magnet Café, Edinburgh at 13:00 for free cake and enjoyable company. Next date: June 21st, 2023.
SPN Central Coffee & Cake: Last Wednesday of the Month Meet fellow SPN members at Bayes Café, Edinburgh at 13:00 for free cake and good chat. Next date: June 28th, 2023.
SPN Virtual Social: Last Wednesday of the Month Can’t make it in person? Join our virtual social at 13:00 BST to connect with friends and colleagues. Next date: June 28th, 2023.
Trans and Non-Binary Meetup: 4th Thursday of the Month A safe space for trans and non-binary staff and PGRs to meet, chat, relax, and discuss relevant issues. Held at The Auld Hoose, 5:30-7:30pm. Next date: June 22nd, 2023. RSVP here.

Please remember to keep checking our social media and email updates for any additional events that may be added. Let’s celebrate Pride together in the best way possible – by being our true selves!

SPN Comms & Media Team

Requests:

When putting together a Pride Month display, Moray House Library staff noticed a lack of children’s books with LGBTQ+ themes. Our Academic Support Librarians are now looking into purchasing titles to add to the collection. Please send us (at StaffPrideNetwork@ed.ac.uk) any recommendations for timeless LGBTQ+ children’s books that you think would make a great addition to our shelves – and feel free to drop by the library to check out our display which includes LGBTQ+ books on Education and Sport.

Media available for Advertising:

📣 Attention #LGBTQ+ community! A research study is being conducted to understand how minority stress and childhood experiences affect depression. If you’re over 18, fluent in English, and identify as LGBTQ+, your insights are needed.

🔗 Take the 10-minute survey before the end of June: https://edinburgh.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6xIkNUowfxdolhk?Q_CHL=qr

⚠️ Content warning: The survey includes questions about traumatic experiences.

📧 Questions? Email: s1530227@ed.ac.uk

This research is approved by the University of Edinburgh School of Health in Social Science Ethics Committee. #Research #MentalHealth #LGBTQResearch #PrideMonth

Banner & Placard Making Session Potterrow Dome 16:00-18:00

Poster for Little France Pride

Join the SPN/Sports Union Sport & Physical Activity Survey and Facility Tour

In another exciting collaboration, our Social and Events Officer Jonathan MacBride and Neil Rankin, the Sports Coordinator (Volunteering & Participation), have put together a comprehensive survey to encourage greater participation in sport and active health within the Staff Pride Network. The survey is now open and will be accepting responses until the end of May.

Please share your thoughts and experiences by completing the survey.

Additionally, to get a real feel of the facilities and resources we have on offer, Jonathan is planning to organise a tour of facilities in June. More details will be shared soon, but we encourage you to mark your calendars.

For additional resources on sport and exercise, check out these links:

Sport & Exercise
Firbush Outdoor Activity Center
FASIC Sport & Exercise Medicine Clinic – Note: staff discounts are available on physio and rehab.
Sports Union Clubs – Many of these have non-student memberships.

Thank you for your active participation and contribution in making the Staff Pride Network a vibrant community.

Little France Pride March

Another exciting event is coming up very soon – on Friday, 2nd June. Children’s Services, in collaboration with the Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity and other support organisations, are working towards achieving the LGBT Charter Status.

In celebration of Pride Month, and in conjunction with the LGBT+ Staff Network and the team at RIE, they are planning the first Little France Pride March. All are invited to participate in the march along the Wellbeing Walk at 13:30. Show your pride with flags, banners, and face paint!

Moreover, there will be stalls from the staff networks on campus within the Chancellor’s Building reception from 13.00 to 15.00. If you can’t manage the full 1-mile walk, you can pop along to learn more about the support available for LGBTQI+ staff and the role of allies.

Our colleagues from the University of Edinburgh will be joining us, as well as our friends from the ECHC, NHS Lothian Charity, and Radio Lollipop. They are all collaborating with Staff Wellbeing to make the afternoon special.

Outpatients who are able to undertake the walk are welcome to join in, and there will be other opportunities throughout the month to support everyone on site – more details to follow.

The event isn’t ticketed, but it will be helpful for the organisers if you could register your intent to attend here. This will assist with planning for the number of attendees.

New Feature Alert: Set Your Pronouns in Office 365 Contact Card

We have some exciting news for you. Microsoft has recently introduced a new feature in Office 365, which allows users to set their pronouns in their contact card. This new addition is a great way to promote inclusivity and respect for gender identities in our digital workspace, especially considering the diverse mix of staff and students from various cultures present at the University of Edinburgh.

In a multicultural environment, it’s important to recognize that people may not be familiar with the traditional gender associated with certain names. With this new feature, users can help others understand their pronouns, creating a more respectful and inclusive atmosphere.

This feature is available in the online version of Office 365 and will appear in Microsoft Teams. Unfortunately, it is not yet supported in the desktop version of Outlook.

To learn more about this feature and how to set your pronouns, you can visit the official Microsoft support page here:

What are pronouns?

Pronouns, in this context, are simply the words we use to replace someone’s name in a sentence. Pronouns exist in many languages, as do gender neutral versions of them. For example, in English common pronouns include “she, “ “her,” “he,” “him,” and the gender neutral “they” and “them.”

While “they” and “them” are the most used gender-neutral pronouns in English, there are many more that we can use too. Instead of “they,” “them,” “their,” or “themself,” additional pronouns include: “sie,” “hir,” “hirs,” “hirself” or “zie,” “zir,” “zirs,” or “zirself.”

Why should I add pronouns to my profile?

Correctly using someone’s pronoun is one of the most basic ways to show that we value being inclusive and respectful. When we are referred to with the wrong pronoun, it may make us feel disrespected, invalidated, and alienated. In a hybrid multicultural workplace, the simple act of using the right pronouns can help build trust and improve communication among colleagues. If your Administrator has turned on pronouns in Microsoft 365, you have the option to include them on your profile card.

Notes:

Whether or not to share or publicly display pronouns is always up to an individual. Pronouns should never be assigned by one person to another person. It should be up to the person using them to decide when, where, and which pronouns are used – including whether to use this feature. Knowing someone’s pronouns does not always equate to knowing their gender identity. Importantly, choosing to leverage the pronouns feature as an individual user should be optional, not mandatory.
It’s important to consider that for transgender and non-binary people, covering demands in the workplace, at school, or in other contexts, may make it more comfortable not to share their pronouns. Please be aware of any applicable local laws, regulations, and cultural norms that may pose additional risks to transgender or non-binary people before choosing to leverage the pronouns feature.

Who can see my pronouns?

Anyone that has an account in your organization, including guest accounts, can see pronouns on profiles.

In scenarios where users have been directory synced into AD or AAD, users that are resolved with the same tenantID are able to see pronouns on profiles.

Can I control who can see my pronouns?

Your pronouns are available to everyone in your organization. It’s not possible to hide pronouns from certain users in your organization, including guest accounts.

How do I add, change, or delete my pronouns?

For detailed steps, see Add, change, or delete your pronouns.

Are there any restrictions in the pronouns field?

You can enter up to 30 characters, including spaces.

How long does it take for others to see pronoun updates on my profile?

When you add, change, or delete your pronouns, changes are updated immediately.

Where are my pronouns stored?

Your pronouns are stored with your other data in your Exchange Online mailbox.

I See You: A Reflection on Trans Visibility Day

Rev Dr Urzula Glienecke (she/her)

(written 12th April 2023)

Flat heart-shaped decoration featuring the words "No child should group up feeling afraid of being their true self"

Just yesterday somewhere in the depths of the social media I saw a conversation between a mother and her trans son. It went something like this:

– Happy belated Trans Visibility Day!

– Yeah mom, it was last week

– 👀

– Mom, that’s not how you use this emoji!

– I wanted to say “I see you, son!”

It moved me to tears. I don’t know if it was a conversation that really happened, but that doesn’t really matter. What matters is that it could have been and (according to the famous German author Erich Kästner) that makes it true enough.mI have learned that being seen for who one truly is, being listened to can be one of the most important and profound human experiences. So, here’s a message to say “I see you!” I have also been listening to stories: real life-stories of real non-binary and transgender people about their joy, suffering, identity.

Church altar decorated with trans pride flag hanging on the wall behind the alter with progress pride flag (including intersex circle) draped over the alter.

On the 31st of March we celebrated Trans Visibility Day at the Augustine United Church. There were agnostics, atheists, shamans, pagans, Christians and those who “hadn’t been to church since they were 10” in glorious, colourful, celebrating, vulnerable and powerful diversity.

I gathered impressions, prayers and reflections by some of the people who were there. Here they are:

Maxwell who led the event:

“Vigil: Transgender Day of Visibility 31 March 2023

Transgender Day of Visibility was started in 2009 by trans activist, Rachel Crandall from Michigan as a reaction to the lack of LGBTQI+ recognition of transgender people. It is observed on the 31 March every year.

Thankfully, transgender people are becoming more recognised as members of the LGBTQI+ community. This has been an important shift. The advent of Trans Pride events throughout the UK is a sign of the increasing visibility of the trans community.

This year, for the first time ‘Our Tribe’, the LGBTQI+ ministry at AUC that works in partnership with Metropolitan Community Church, decided to celebrate the day.

So, on Friday we held a Vigil. We worked hard to invite as many people as possible – and it paid off, there were nearly 60 people who came to the event, including many trans young people.

We invited speakers from the cross-section of the trans community to tell us why trans visibility is important in the world today and to reflect on what inspired them about the trans community. Having visible role models and out trans people who can inspire is vital to enable people of all ages to recognise themselves and be able to come out. Solidarity in the trans community is important along with supporting one another. Listening to the speakers was very moving and hearing the lived experience of trans people and our allies was inspiring and encouraging.

We had the opportunity to take part several rituals.

We decorated hearts and stars to hang on light trees.

We dropped stones into a pool of water.

We wrote our names on canvas, to mark our visibility.

Rev Elder Maxwell Reay offered individual glitter and oil blessings.

All these rituals encouraged us to feel more visible as members of the trans community and as allies.

The Vigil ended with a prayer, written by Lewis.

A little goes a long way – a little love, a little hope, a little joy, and a little glitter!

Anointing

A little goes along way!

Water, Oil, Glitter.

Anoint your heart saying:

Blessed is my heart that can love and be loved unconditionally.

Anoint your body saying:

Blessed is my body that travels each day with you.

Anoint your surroundings saying:

Blessed is this space that it may be a safe haven for all

Anoint those who you love saying:

Blessed are our connections.

Anoint your ministries and work for social justice saying:

Blessed by the spirit through all that we do.

We are all anointed.

Water, oil, glitter

A little goes a long way.

Written by Maxwell Reay for Transgender Day of Visibility 2023

Prayer for Transgender Day of Visibility 2023

Liberating One, you know each one of us by our names.

Our gender identities are a gift from you, which we celebrate.

You called us out and have enabled us to live a true, whole life.

You made us and from our first moment You knew who we are.

We know we are precious to You and that You care about our lives.

We know that there have been trans, non-binary and gender non-conforming people throughout history.

Help us find these ancestors and learn from them.

Thank You for the trans people who are visible in our society. Support us in our vulnerability.

Let us take Pride in our lives and in the lives of the trans and non-binary communities.

We thank you for the freedoms we have in Scotland,

but we know there is still much to do.

Give us hope that we will see our efforts come to fruition.

We ask that the Gender Recognition Reform Bill will become Scottish law.

Give us strength to rebuff the transphobia that we experience all around us.

Give us courage to face the impact of transphobia in our daily lives.

We ask for safety for all trans and non-binary people.

For those who have been hurt or assaulted, we ask for healing of body and mind. Bring us wholeness through Your Love.

For those who battle with discrimination and oppression, bring them endurance for the task ahead.

We have reflected and celebrated our lives and the life of the transgender community.

We ask for peace that is unshakable and hope that will not burn out.

In the name of Wonder, Liberation and Wisdom bring us peace. Amen.”

Written by Lewis Reay for Transgender Day of Visibility 2023.

Jo:

“When I was a child I didn’t know anyone like me. I thought I was the only one in the whole world. And this deepened my feelings of fear and shame. So one thing I really like about being visible is that I can be a role model to others… and, in a way, help and comfort my younger self“.

Christian:

“Maxwell facilitated the meeting and invited some trans people and Fiona to talk about what they find inspiring about trans/nonbinary and gender non-conforming people and why they feel it’s important to be visible. All the speakers were very hopeful and encapsulated the message that trans people are an important part of society, fully loved by God and bring unique perspectives on what it means to be human. Maxwell invited everyone to draw and write on wooden hearts and stars, it could be anything about trans people or the queer community that inspires them or they appreciate, or anything they felt lead to write/draw. There was a whole beautiful array of colours and messages when the hearts and stars were hung on fairy light trees. The whole evening was celebratory and positive, and everyone seemed to really benefit from being there.”

It was a joy and a privilege to be there, to listen, to celebrate, to see and to be seen!

Statement from Staff Pride Network regarding the protest against planned screening of Adult Human Female

TLDR:

We co-organised a protest with Cabaret Against The Hate Speech to take place when the screening of Adult Human Female was due to place. Our protest demonstrated support for trans rights at the University of Edinburgh in a peaceful and non-confrontational manner. We published a blog detailing all the reasons the film is anti-trans and why it does not represent a suitable opportunity for respectful debate or discussion: https://blogs.ed.ac.uk/staffpridenetwork/2023/04/14/is-screening-adult-human-female-an-opportunity-for-respectful-debate-and-discussion/

Another group chose to peacefully protest the screening by sitting in front of the doors to the venue. While they were not affiliated with our protest we support their right to protest peacefully as they see fit. It is our understanding that the screening was cancelled because there was no way to safely access the building. We are not privy to the specifics of that decision making process. We continued with our peaceful, non-confrontational demonstration which created a supportive environment to show that many staff and students at the University of Edinburgh are supportive of trans rights.

More detail if you’re interested:

We are aware that our protest about the screening of a this anti-trans film has attracted widespread media attention. This comes with an alarming amount of misinformation, which this blog will address. Some of our members are now receiving direct messages of hateful abuse which have undoubtedly been fuelled by the heavily-biased media coverage.

The headline of one major news outlet refers to the screening of a “gender film”. This headline is designed to attract the attention of the majority of the readership who are concerned about a so-called ‘attack on gender’ by LGBTQ communities, which is in fact being staged by the “gender critical” movement, who made this film. The film is not about gender. It disregards gender entirely in favour of making a baseless argument that only sex at birth is real. Such a doctrine is harmful for cis and trans people alike. Gender is real, that is why trans people exist.

Members of the University of Edinburgh Staff Pride Network, and students, UCU and UNISON members, staged a peaceful protest across the pavement from the lecture theatre, which was led by Cabaret Against The Hate Speech. We did not obstruct entry to the venue. We sang songs, we created an atmosphere of positivity and love in the face of the oppression of the most vulnerable of our community. Our policy was clear throughout: do not directly engage with anyone there to watch the film or support the screening. Although unfortunately we were directly harassed by persons who were there for the film screening.

As the screening was open to the public those present included an MSP, members of the Scottish Family Party (who are publicly anti-women’s rights, anti-LGBT rights, anti-abortion to name but a few) as well as the woman who flashed the public gallery in the Scottish Parliament during the final gender recognition reform bill debate. The same woman attempted to confront our protesters while our co-chair was giving a speech.

The University of Edinburgh staunchly upholds the values of “Freedom of expression”. Nevertheless, there is currently an atmosphere in which staff at the university are intimidated for voicing opposition to the platforming of misleading propaganda, with false accusations of “obstructing academic freedom/freedom of expression” being directed at us. Note: Academic freedom and freedom of expression are not the same thing.

A direct-action group barricaded the entrance to the university building. And while the Staff Pride Network had no role in this, we respect their freedom to protest in any way they wish. We recognise these protesters were asserting their belief that de-platforming hate-speech is a necessary and effective counter to the spread of misinformation.

We are also within our own rights to appeal to the university about how freedom of expression policies should be applied in an equitable and inclusive way. That is why no university member of staff would stage a protest that would frustrate any process of academic freedom. That the mainstream news outlets accuse us of attempting to block academic freedom is paramount to obfuscation. The debate about academic freedom is a straw man argument designed to distract the casual observer from what is really happening.

We believe that film is not academic, because of its biased and low-quality coverage of the subject matter. To call it such is an embarrassing slight on the academic standards that we uphold. The film fully disregards the dignity and respect of trans people and covertly advocates for the removal of their current legal rights and protections, as stipulated in both university policy and law.

We did not stop an 80 year old woman from seeing her film. The film is freely available online and has been for over a year. The screening of it on university campus is simply a power-flex by the creators. This is yet another example of the perpetrators playing the victim.

The lived experience of trans people is not a debate.