So far, it has been a long fought battle to get the recognition and rights that transgendered people have needed. There have been many notable people and activists who have contributed to this fight. Here, we present some of those people who in the opinion of some of our members have been outstanding in the continuing march. We hope some of these people will give confidence and insipration to those who need our support.
Shon Faye (born 27th March 1988)
Shon Faye is an English writer, editor, journalist, and presenter, known for her commentary on LGBTQ+, women’s, and mental health issues. She hosts the podcast Call Me Mother and is the author of the 2021 book The Transgender Issue: An Argument for Justice.
Lewis Hancox
Lewis Hancox is a film-maker, comedy creator and now illustrator and author from the North West. He has published a graphic memoir called Welcome to St Hell but Lewis is also known for his online impersonations of his Mum “British Mum” and sassy lass “Prinny Queen”. He also co-founded “My Genderation” – an ongoing film project celebrating trans lives – with trans activist Fox Fisher.
Laura Jane Grace (born 8th November 1980)
Laura Jane Grace is an American musician best known as the founder, lead singer, songwriter, and guitarist of the punk rock band Against Me!. In addition to Against Me!, Grace fronts the band Laura Jane Grace & The Devouring Mothers, a solo project she started in 2016.
Natalie Wynn (born October 21st 1988)
Natalie Wynn is an American YouTuber, political commentator, and cultural critic. She is best known for her YouTube channel, ContraPoints, where she creates video essays exploring a wide range of topics such as politics, gender, ethics, race, and philosophy.
Abigail Thorn (born 24th April 1993)
Abigail Thorn is a British YouTuber, actress, and playwright best known for producing the YouTube channel Philosophy Tube. She publicly came out as a transgender woman in January 2021, with the video Coming Out As Trans – A Little Public Statement and the more theatrical Identity: A Trans Coming Out Story.
Patricio ‘Pat’ Manuel (also known as Cacahuate)
Pat is a professional male boxer who has shaped his masculine identity in boxing gyms since 2002. In 2015 he became the first visible transgender boxer and the most decorated amateur boxer to change gender divisions within USA Boxing. In 2016, he became the first transgender man to beat a cisgender man in the amateur male division. In September 2018, he made history again when he became the first transgender boxer to compete in a professional boxing match in the U.S. and win.
April Ashley MBE (29 April 1935 – 27 December 2021)
April Ashley was an English model. She was outed as a transgender woman by The Sunday People newspaper in 1961 and is one of the earliest British people known to have had sex reassignment surgery.
