Welcome to Transgentle, a digital zine for both trans+ people (whether you are out or stealth) and non-trans identifying allies who want to be progressive and productive in promoting Trans+ inclusion at a DIY, grassroots level.
why gentle is important
As a Transgender man, I am really struggling at the moment with everything that is happening to the trans community. Over the past seven or eight years “the trans debate” has gone from an unprovoked attack to a full-scale argument, a lot is being shouted but nobody is listening to each other, so it's just disturbing the peace. This cannot be considered a debate anymore, in truth, it never really was.A big problem we have now is anyone on the fence or with no opinion can just see two very small groups of people screaming at each other and nobody knows what to do. I have had countless people say to me “What can I do to help? because I’m not trans, but I do love you” and “I am trans and I am proud of who I am, all I have done is try to live my life quietly but what more can I do?”. In my frantic search for kindness, calmness, understanding and an answer to this question that I keep being asked, I had the idea of creating this small online resource to show people what they can do on a small local level.Protests with banners and marches and megaphones are great as short-term responses, putting ourselves physically out there to be counted and to shout “Yes, I am here. I have always been here, I always will be here… living my life, still quietly blending into society but maybe just a little bit louder from now on, as and when I need to be.” but we need longer term progressive change too. Protests are not always accessible for everyone for various reasons and sometimes people are more comfortable and confident having a quiet chat about things over a cup of tea. We need to feel like we belong without having to muscle our way in. This is something that is more likely to come from education, understanding and connection. We must use integrity, compassion and thoughtfulness when proving to others that we are not a threat.Transgentle is about making small steps to share our stories and help people to understand how to be more inclusive, to let trans people know that they are safe and respected daily as we go about our lives quietly and promoting positive, respectful conversations. The Transgentle logo is a symbol of inclusion and respect for the trans community.This is a time for resilience.This is a call to action.
tips and ideas for positive change
First things first let’s get the word out about Transgentle - at the moment it’s a case of who shouts loudest gets heard. I want this to be a finely tuned engine, You have the power to be a cog in this machine, if you send this website to just one person whether it’s your best friend or your favourite auntie and they send it to someone else it starts to move. The more cogs, the bigger machine, the louder the hum of the engine! Are you a member of an LGBTQ+ network? Or do you know someone who is? Send this to them and let’s pick up some speed! Remember to check back here regularly for new ideas and resources and use the Badges and Stickers section of this website to order your own.
Research your local independent health and wellbeing practitioners - from hairdressers and barbers to chiropractors and podiatrists, from physiotherapists and yoga instructors to reiki practitioners and nail technicians. Do their websites and social media state that they are LGBTQ+ inclusive? If not, contact them by email or post (you can do this anonymously) asking if they are inclusive and telling them how important it is that, if they are inclusive, they should share that they are, so the trans community know where they will be safe. If you are a trans person offer to look over their paperwork and online information that their clients use when signing up to their service and attending appointments and suggest any ways they are being unknowingly exclusionary with their wording or the way they collect gender specific information.
Think about the leisure industry and where you spend your time and money - do you feel like the cafes, restaurants, bars and activity centres you frequent are inclusive and welcoming to trans people? are the toilets unnecessarily gendered to single sex? if there are ways they can make adjustments then have that conversation either in person anonymously as above.
Does the company you work for have an EDI panel? this is a group or committee focused on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) within an organization focusing on all protected characteristics of the Equality Act (age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation). Ask if you can join the panel and if there isn't one, speak to your management team about starting one.
Write to your local MP's, politicians, the Prime Minister, even the King! Arrange to meet with your local political representatives. If you are openly trans, a great way to stop people looking at you like a statistic or a hypothetical situation is to arrange to meet with them in person, so grab a coffee from a small independent cafe and go for a walk in the park with them so they can get to know you and your story on a personal level. They want us to vote for them but it works both ways - they have to vote for us too.
echoes and inspiration from uk based peers and allies
To find out what is really happening to the Trans community please avoid mainstream media and get your information from:
To find out about Trans led campaigning, initiatives and community projects that are happening and see how you can get involved go to:
For a range of trans-led education, training and consultancy to organisations and individuals who are working to better their inclusive practices contact:
The Good Law Project are working tirelessly to fight for our legal rights. If you can afford to then please consider donating here:
For support with trans related advice and complaints go to:
Feminist, musician and trans ally Kate Nash has released a well researched, eloquently articulated spoken word piece of art called GERM in support of the trans community…
where to buy official transgentle badges
A 25mm high gloss, flat pin badge.The Transgentle logo is a symbol of trans inclusion and solidarity with the trans community who just want to quietly live the lives they have built for themselves.£0.20 from the sale of every badge is donated to goodlawproject.org except on Bandcamp Fridays when £0.50 from the sale of every badge is donated to goodlawproject.org
articles and positive press about transgentle
- A guest blog post about learning from trans people and their lived experiences for Time For Kindness