Right now, trans kids are occupying the Department of Education, and they need our support — but this isn’t their first protest of this kind. In July, trans youth from ‘Trans Kids Deserve Better’ scaled the NHS England building in South East London to demand “access to gender-affirming healthcare for trans children and young people, protection from discrimination and disrespect in their daily lives and the right to be heard in all decisions that affect them.”
I had the privilege of watching these brave young trans people descend from their protest in July, and spoke with those gathered to support them about their feelings on the action. Later on, I was able to conduct a private interview with the young activists themselves, where they told me what they need from you, as members of the trans community, as well as our allies. Watching the proceedings and having these conversations reinvigorated me, and I feel honored to share some of what I heard and experienced with you.
Strong Support for Trans Youth
Every single person I spoke to was united in purpose – to support trans kids fighting for their own rights. Passing cars – and even one or two buses – honked in solidarity. The atmosphere was one both of compassion – worried about kids who had spent days sleeping on a ledge, making sure they had everything they needed – as well as celebration, for staying strong and sustaining each other as long as they did. As the kids climbed down, the crowd chanted their support.
“When trans kids are under attack, what do we do? Stand up! Fight back!”
The supporters came in all ages, shapes, and sizes. I counted over 300 in attendance. One woman bore a sign declaring that as a middle-aged mum, she supported trans people. Although numerous allies showed up, the strongest support came from the trans community itself. Trans people travelled in from across the country to stand in solidarity with trans youth, from ordinary members in the community, to well-known figures and seasoned trans activists.
Dr Ronx Ikharia, an award winning nonbinary emergency doctor known for hosting Operation Ouch! on CBBC, came to support the protest. Dr Ronx told me that “our young people deserve better than suffering, and shouldn’t be scaling walls”. They emphasised that trans kids must be “believed, supported, affirmed, and loved”.
Trans artist, Alexa Vox, emphasised the importance of older trans people coming out to stand with trans youth:
It’s really important for older trans people that have had their own struggles to come here and to support trans youth. We were all young trans people once and we need to come together as a community to ensure that we all have access to healthcare. Until all of us have it, none of us have it.
But it wasn’t just older trans people who wanted to express their solidarity. Two young trans people – Temperance and Sevren – who had attended to support told me that it was “horrible” that the kids had been there for four days “with no mainstream coverage”. They were angry, because “if this has been cis kids there would be have been so much more attention”.
The Speeches
As the protesters came down, the crowd and I were treated to a delightful series of speeches, in which trans youth spelled out their outrage.
One speech wittily compared the ban on puberty blockers for trans youth – only allowing access for adults – to a “9 month wait for an abortion”. The protester said he had been “thriving” with access to healthcare, and that the only people questioning his gender were the government. He ended his speech by applying testosterone gel on the roof of Wellington House – proclaiming that whilst may people wanted trans youth to feel helpless, they were “so much stronger than [those people], and so much braver than they ever could be”.
Other speeches emphasised the importance of trans youth fighting for themselves, and that being up on a ledge was still safer than being on an NHS waiting list. Trans youth described how the protesters felt like family, and that being up there allowed them to think of their future with hope for the first time.
The final speech made clear the need for decisive steps. The protester insisted that their occupation was a “call to action” and that it was vital to “keep up the momentum for ourselves and our community.
The Young Activists
I was delighted to have a conversation with some of the young protesters after they had descended form the building. My question to them was simple but important – what do you need from the rest of us, as a trans community?
They told me that whilst trans adults often feel like they need to “protect” trans youth – this should not be our focus. Instead, we need to “amplify” them, and ensure their voices are heard. “We’re not helpless”, they insisted.
Beyond that, we need to build community. By finding and creating community spaces and movements, we make all of us stronger. We also need to visibly show up for trans youth — it makes a big difference when politicians realise just how much support there is for trans youth
“We don’t need sympathy, we need support”
Trans Youth Need Support Now
As stated at the outset of this article – trans youth are currently protesting. The protest involves an occupation of the Department of Education – with trans youth demanding “respect in education, and in all other areas of life”. They need our support right now.
Trans Kids Deserve Better have asked for everyone who can to come down and show them your love. They have a communal meal at 7pm – they are also in need of food. They emphasised that people just coming and hanging out for a couple of hours is so much appreciated. They have also requested for those who live in Ilford to DM their Instagram account.
Turning up in person is not the only way to support. Please tell your friends, share their work, and promote their message. If you know any trans youth, let them know about the action. You can read more about Trans Kids Deserve Better, and sign up as a supporter, on their website.
Last but not least – if you are able, you can support their fundraiser here
