Rylan Clark urges greater visibility for trans stories amid rising hostility

Television and radio presenter Rylan Clark has called for more representation of trans individuals in the media, highlighting what he described as a “mass wave of hate” currently affecting the community.

Speaking at the Edinburgh TV Festival, Clark, 36, known for his work on This Morning and Big Brother’s Bit on the Side, opened up about the challenges faced by LGBTQ+ people, drawing on his own experiences growing up as a gay man.

“I genuinely feel there’s a huge surge of hostility sweeping across the community right now, particularly towards trans people,” he said.

“There’s so much discourse around bathrooms, public spaces and similar issues, and people are being unfairly lumped together.”

Clark criticised the tendency to generalise, saying: “There’s this mindset that if one trans person does something wrong, then all trans people must be bad. It’s completely unjust.”

I’d challenge anyone to walk a mile in their shoes and then decide who the real enemy is.

He continued: “Trans people are facing a torrent of abuse at the moment, and I think it’s vital we start telling real stories about real trans lives. Too many people see trans individuals as the enemy - honestly, it’s shocking.

“I’d challenge anyone to walk a mile in their shoes and then decide who the real enemy is. From what I’ve seen through friends and people I’ve grown up with, the process of transitioning can be incredibly difficult - absolutely harrowing.”

Earlier this year, the UK Supreme Court ruled that the terms “woman” and “sex” in the Equality Act refer specifically to biological sex. Following this, the Equality and Human Rights Commission issued interim guidance suggesting that transgender individuals should not access toilets or services aligned with their gender identity.

The ruling sparked nationwide protests, with celebrities showing support by signing an open letter in solidarity with the trans community.

In July, London Trans Pride saw a record turnout of around 100,000 people, which organisers hailed as “the largest Trans Pride event in history”.

Clark also reflected on the significance of Pride, saying that while he personally doesn’t feel he needs it, the event remains essential due to the ongoing discrimination faced by LGBTQ+ people.

During the festival, Clark joined actor Russell Tovey in a conversation about their shared experiences growing up gay in Essex. Tovey recalled a nightclub he frequented as a young man, describing it as a vital safe space.

“It was somewhere I could just be myself, and I didn’t realise at the time how important that was,” he said. “Now, we’re seeing so many of these safe spaces vanish, and that’s deeply concerning. These places matter - they’re where people feel understood and accepted.”