Film Organisers of Brighton International Trans Film Festival seek short films exploring trans lives and experiences worldwide Organisers of this year’s Brighton International Trans Film Festival (BITFF) are seeking short films (under 25 minutes) that explore a variety of trans lives and experiences worldwide for BITFF, which takes place at Duke of York’s Picturehouse in Brighton on 19 July. The films can be either fact or By Graham Robson • 1 min read
Community News Trans student “overwhelmed” after attending garden party at Buckingham Palace Charlie Murray-Edwards, a trans student who became homeless while struggling with his identity as a trans man, said it was “incredible” to be invited to a garden party at Buckingham Palace. Charlie, from Guernsey, had been left sofa-surfing aged 16 after he found it difficult to live at home. He was By Graham Robson • 1 min read
International News Czech court strikes down legal requirement for trans people to undergo surgery before they are able to officially complete transition The Czech Constitutional Court has struck down a legal requirement for trans people to undergo surgery before they are able to officially complete their transition. Under current law, Czech trans people have to undergo sex organ surgery and sterilisation, leaving them unable to reproduce, before off By Graham Robson • 1 min read
LGBTQ+ News Government pushes ahead to make single-sex toilets compulsory in all new restaurants, bars, offices and shopping centres The Government has announced that single-sex toilets in England will become a legal requirement for all new restaurants, bars, offices and shopping centres later this year, meaning it will be compulsory to provide separate facilities for men and women. The law will apply to new non-residential build By Graham Robson • 1 min read
Community News Capturing authentic trans joy: new Brighton exhibition, Beyond the Binary, launches in time for inaugural Trans+ History Week Proud Studios CIC and award-winning photographer Chris Jepson present an exhibition of new work for the inaugural Trans+ History Week. Beyond The Binary – A Celebration Of Trans Joy is a collaboration between Brighton-based award-winning photographer and queer artist Chris Jepson, trans groups inclu By Graham Robson • 1 min read
LGBTQ+ News Daniel Radcliffe comments on JK Rowling’s anti-trans views, saying she doesn’t own “the things he truly believes” Harry Potter actor Daniel Radcliffe has again commented on JK Rowling’s anti-trans views, insisting he doesn’t owe her “the things he truly believes” just because she made him a star – and says he finds the situation “really sad”. His spat with Rowling, who has relentlessly attacked the trans commun By Graham Robson • 1 min read
International News Trans woman Robbi Mecus dies after falling 1,000 feet from Alaskan mountain Robbi Mecus, a 52-year-old trans woman from New York, has died after falling 1,000 feet while ice climbing on an Alaskan mountain. The forest ranger died after she and her climbing partner fell while they ascended Mount Johnson, an 8,400ft peak. The other climber, Melissa Orzechowski, 30, from Calif By Graham Robson • 1 min read
Television The very colourful life of Miriam Rivera to be explored in new Channel 4 documentary The nation is to learn the incredible story of Miriam Rivera, a trans reality TV sensation who died aged 38 in 2019, when Channel 4 broadcasts its new three-part series from 29 April. According to Channel 4, the documentary will explore Miriam Rivera’s “life, death, and extraordinary legacy”. Its sy By Graham Robson • 1 min read
Sport Keighley Cougars Rugby League club makes history with nomination of India Willoughby as patron Keighley Cougars Rugby League club has announced the appointment of trans activist India Willoughby as their patron, marking a groundbreaking moment as the world’s first transgender individual to serve as patron of a professional sports club. India, a pioneer in her own right as Britain’s first tran By Graham Robson • 2 min read
Sport Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer calls for ban on trans athletes competing in female-only events Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer has called for trans athletes to be banned from competing in female-only events, writing that sports’ governing bodies needed to set out an “unambiguous position” on the issue, amid rows over trans athletes participating in female-only events. Frazer wrote: “In competit By Graham Robson • 1 min read
LGBTQ+ News Psychology academic receives prestigious grant to develop self-help resource for trans and gender-non-conforming people A University of Northampton (UON) lecturer is preparing to help people navigate their transition to a different gender identity with research supported by a highly prized grant. Dr Luke Ward from the Centre for Psychological and Sociological Sciences are looking to develop a self-help resource for t By Graham Robson • 2 min read
Arts Beyond The Binary – A Celebration Of Trans Joy: new exhibition at Jubilee Library to empower and celebrate the trans community Proud Studios CIC and award-winning photographer Chris Jepson present an exhibition of new work at Brighton’s Jubilee Library from Monday, 22 April – Sunday, 12 May, to coincide with the new Trans+ History Week. Beyond The Binary – A Celebration Of Trans Joy is a collaboration between Brighton-based By Graham Robson • 1 min read
