Transgender Day of Visibility

Can you tell us a bit about yourself, your role,  and what brought you to akt?
My name is Ev (they/them), and I’m an LGBTQ+ inclusion and development coordinator at Akt. I am also trans/nonbinary, queer and neurodivergent. I’ve been an activist for the LGBTQ+ community for many years now. I recognise that being LGBTQ+ and especially trans+, while also being a young person, creates massive physical and mental barriers when navigating homelessness, so I want to do my best to help some of the most vulnerable individuals in our community to get on their feet and have the same opportunities in life as those who do not have the same barriers.

What does transgender visibility day mean to you?
It’s an opportunity to celebrate our community in the present. While we mourn trans+ lives lost in the past to hate crimes, AIDS epidemic and suicides, it’s important to focus on joy too, and not lose ourselves in grief.

Why do you think trans visibility, especially for young people, is important?
Being a young trans+ person is extremely hard in the UK in 2026: trans youth are 6x more likely to die by suicide, and with 2024 Cass review prohibiting puberty blockers to under 18s has only contributed to the increased suicide rates amongst the youngest of us. It is our duty to protect them, to show them that there is future where they can be themselves, and to actually build the world where they can thrive.

Have you ever had a moment where seeing someone visible and proud as trans+ really impacted you? 
Yes! I have multiple trans+ icons that helped me feel prouder to be nonbinary, but the biggest shout out has to go to Nikki Hiltz – a Team US Olympian track runner, who came 7th at Paris Olympics. Seeing a nonbinary person being presented and respected at the OLYMPICS made me cry, as I come from professional sports background too. Also, I have to mention Emma D’arcy and Bella Ramsey – nonbinary actors who are the main characters in very mainstream shows House of Dragons and Last of Us.

How do you think akt’s work supports young trans+ people who are facing homelessness or unsafe living situations?
As directly as it can be – 50% of people we support are trans+

What’s one thing you’d love to say to young trans+ people who might be struggling right now?
Your existence is not a political debate, and you are more than headlines and political pawns. There will be a future for you where you won’t have to fight for your right to exist.

Do you have any queer media (books, movies, artists) you’d recommend for trans day of visibility?
Yes! If you are into horror, I recommend ‘Hell Followed With Us’

Can you tell us a bit about yourself, your role, and what brought you to akt?
I’m 27, I’m from Dorset, and when I’m not working, I love baking (with mixed results), making friends with the cats that live on my road, and dragging my mates to the cinema with me! I joined akt just over a year ago as I wanted to begin my career in the charity sector, and was excited at the chance to do a job every day which directly helped improve the lives of young LGBTQ+ people.

Why do you think trans visibility, especially for young people, is important?
I think now more than ever trans visibility is hugely important for young people, as sadly the current political climate widely promotes constant fearmongering around the existence of trans people, presenting growing threats to us as we simply try to live our lives peacefully.

Ideally, if young people could see trans individuals in every space where they see their cis counterparts (work, school, tv, film, news, parliament etc) then trans identities could no longer be as successfully ‘othered’ by those who want us to disappear. By being aware of proud, diverse, trans folks, young people can be reminded that we are not the enemy or a political pawn.

Have you ever had a moment where seeing someone visible and proud as trans+ really impacted you? 
Before I came out last year, I was hugely reassured by trans influencer/author Gabe Dunn. In a YouTube video about realising you’re trans as an adult, he opened my mind to the idea that realising your identity doesn’t need to rely on finding “a basket of proof” to fit into an easy narrative that cisgender people can understand, e.g. ‘I was born in the wrong body and always knew’.

Instead, it can be as simple as ‘this is what feels good now’ and that’s all you need to decide to live in a way that feels gender-affirming and fun!

Do you have any queer media (books, movies, artists) you’d recommend for trans day of visibility?
I’ve recently been listening to Tom Rasmussen’s album Bodybuilding, which is a super catchy, dance-y album about queer connection and transness. Also, Mae Martin’s TV show Feel Good is a great watch and has some really relatable, honest non-binary representation.