Grassroots activism for transgender equality

Hello my name is Alison. I am a male-to-female transgendered person, identifying as female.  I write poetry and stories and I am involved with a writing group and some women’s groups.  I have been involved with university research about life as a transgendered person and I have published a book called Heartbeat.

I suffered discrimination when I was transitioning as a woman, I spoke out and got my voice heard and this improved life for other transgendered people who follow after me, they follow in my footsteps. I see myself as a woman, the role I wish to be in, I am more happier being female than male.  Things are settled now at the start was a bit rocky, but things are peaceful and happy. 

I also am an advocate and got mentioned in the House of Commons 2009 due to not being able to use disabled toilets. I wrote to Stormont which passed my letter onto House of Commons.  I also had the same issue with female and male toilets where I was left with nowhere to go to, I also wrote a letter to highlight that issue. 

I have had issues as a transgendered person in my personal life i.e. domestic abuse, coercive control as I identified as a woman but I went for counselling and used my voice to speak out about it, to help other people on a journey. 

During lockdown I did various courses online with women’s groups and organisations.  I learnt a lot which was informative for me.  

Currently, I am with no organisation, but I used to be involved with three advocacy organisations.   I was passionate about it because of what I went through when I was younger as I didn’t have a voice.  The three organisations that I was involved with about advocacy was called Values into action, Shaping our lives and Compass Advocacy group. 

I am very much an advocate for Gender Budgeting here in NI. It helps women to speak up and out about issues that women are facing and ensure resources are directed to help tackle and alleviate those issues.