A landscape image of the House of Parliament in London on a Sunny day, taken from Westminster Bridge where the Equality Act was debated

“Get on with it”; Arthur Webber on Parliament’s Conversion Therapy Ban debate

The debate was attended by so many, from different parties and nations. Yet all came to the same conclusion: conversion “therapy” is abuse. The overrepresentation of LGB+ MPs (the only openly trans MP, Jamie Wallis, was not present) shows that as much as the media attempt to divide us, we are a united community. 
A Nigerian protestor stands on top of a rock triumphantly holding a trans flag high. In her other hand she holds a sign reading "Respect LGBTQ+ Human Dignity #WithdrawCrossdresserBill #EnoughIsEnough #QueerLivesMatter" photo with courtesy of @Kayode_ani on Twitter

Nigeria’s LGBTQ+ community hold protest against anti-LGBTQ+ bills

At first there was mixed feelings due to concerns about safety, not least as many of us faced harassment when we joined the ‘end SARS’ protest in 2020. Eventually we agreed. We are so tired of hiding, running away and living in fear; we had to do something and so we planned a protest for May 1st 2022. The first ever protest of its kind to be held in Nigeria!
A side profile of someone chest binding with a grey chest binder.

Chest binding; organisations who provide safety information are a “beacon of light”

With all the talk of chest binders after mainstream media took aim at them and Mermaids UK we are seeing the same pattern. The voices of those actually affected by the issues are not being heard. Correcting that for Trans Writes is Keith Ramsted with his chest binding story about the need for harm reduction;
Poster for The Prince by Abigail Thorn. Playing at Southwark Playhouse until the 8th of October. The poster shows Abigal Thorn's character weasring a denim jacket over a pink top whilst looking wistfully into the distance and holding a sword

The Prince review; Abigail Thorn’s wonderful debut as playwright

Abigail Thorn is absolutely a friend of Trans Writes and has even contributed an essay on the idea of dysphoria which you can check out here. So there was no way we were not going to review her debut play; The Prince. Kestral Gaian writes:
A representation of trans joy via International Mr Leather #29, at the Chicago Theater, 2007. The photo shows men wearing various assortments of leather, one has his butt cheeks on display in assless chaps.

Pure trans joy is dancing & butts

Look, lots of people post things they call trans joy but they’re just celebrating having queer friends (set the bar higher!) or consuming other trans people’s creative content (cool, but make your own!). Those things are fun and all, but have you ever tried really living in your body and thriving in it?
A photo of our planet; ie the participants of The Gender Census Worldwide Report 2022

Gender Census 2022: Worldwide report

The Gender Census 2022 is out and Tom Pashby has a little poke around inside of it. Small content warning for transphobic slurs, which will be uncensored in this article.
A photo of the Student's Union at Warwick University campus.

“Queer existence is resistance”; inside Trans Action Warwick’s protest of Nadhim Zahawi MP

Trans Action Warwick regard this protest as a success. They say they achieved their aim of disrupting the event, using it to make a statement that we need to oppose transphobia and those who weaponise it against us. They believe we can’t gain liberation by attending and asking "difficult questions" alone and that doing so risks legitimising the answers and normalising the negative way transphobes talk about trans people.
Soho Square sign surrounded by Trans Pride London signs reaching things like "Trans Rights Now" from a trans rights protest in Westminster

Trans Pride London 2022

To me, the trans community is like a big bag of pick n’ mix – some are sweet, some are sour, some are soft, some are crunchy. We are strawberry laces and chocolate nougat and caramel buttons. Fruity gummy bears and rainbow Skittles. On days like Trans Pride London, surrounded by my family of trans candy; I felt as happy as a kid in a sweet shop.
Hove Women’s RFC – a team now missing a player

RFU transgender rugby ban: All you need to know

Rugby is community, family and recreation, and I never for a moment believed that we would see the governing body of English Rugby, the RFU, instigate a poorly thought through, mishandled, unscientific and exclusionary transgender rugby ban, yet, this is exactly what happened on the 30th July 2022.
Press photo of Penny Mordaunt MP Source: HM Government, Ally of the Year

LGBT Cons Ally of the Year is… Penny Mordaunt… really?

During the Conservative Party conference held in Birmingham this year, former leadership candidate and MP for Portsmouth North Penny Mordaunt was presented with the award for ‘Ally of the Year’ by the Tory LGBTQ+ group called the LGBT Conservatives.