CitySA AGM 2024

Should the Students' Association integrate Trans Inclusion work into its annual plan?

THE ISSUE

With the increasingly hostile political climate for Trans people right now we are seeing the rise of transphobia and hate crimes targeting the community. We are seeing a regression in trans rights, with the GOVT announcing that it has revoked the requirement of gender-neutral toilets in all new non-domestic public and private buildings. With the anti-trans rhetoric rife in the British media and echoed by our own Prime Minister we have seen hate crimes, murders and assaults spike within the UK.

More recently Scot GOVT & Sandyford have now announced that they are no longer prescribing hormone blockers for trans youth, however, these same hormones are still being subscribed to CIS children. As well as this the GOVT is proposing not prescribing any hormonal treatment through the NHS to anyone under the age of 25.

Hormones are a lifeline for many Trans people - "In the Bute House Agreement, the Scottish government promised to dismantle the gatekeeper system and put trans patients at the heart of decisions on their healthcare. Sandyford's decision breaks that promise."

THE IDEA

I want the SA to continue and develop work on Trans Inclusion this would include:
-    Continuing running the Gender Affirming Grant.
-    Make Trans Inclusion Week part of the liberation months that are annually celebrated by the SA.
-    Develop trans inclusion training for our convenors, and class reps and work with EDI to develop class consultation sessions for classes that have reported transphobia and homophobia within the classroom.

THE IMPACT

The main cause of transphobia is lack of understanding, education, and empathy. Continuing to promote, celebrate and educate students and staff on the issue we can start to challenge transphobia within the college and encouraging others to also challenge these behaviours too.
The gender affirming grant has already made such a difference in students wellbeing and experience on campus, and although this doesn’t solve medical transphobia it has been a very impactful in alleviating gender dysphoria.