The media coverage of Brianna’s death is a stark reminder of the systemic transphobia that exists in our society. Several news outlets initially failed to acknowledge that Brianna was a trans girl. One story even included Brianna’s deadname, a violation of her dignity and identity.
The facts speak for themselves: 88% of trans people do not report hate crimes they experience, and crimes against transgender people have seen the biggest rise, with 4,355 reports, up 56% from the previous year. The trans community is the most targeted group in the LGBT+ community as a whole. This is unacceptable.
We must honour Brianna’s memory by continuing to fight for a future where all people are treated with dignity and respect, regardless of their gender identity. The trans community deserves better. Everyone deserves to be part of a society that protects their safety and rights.
Here at LUU, the Fix the Cistem campaign was launched in response to trans students and staff reporting feeling unsafe and being disrespected and harassed on campus. The campaign is calling for three clear actions from the University: to stop sharing deadnames on its IT systems, to have zero tolerance for all forms of transphobia, and to repair the relationship between trans students and the University through honesty and transparency. The University has responded by acknowledging the need for change and has accepted the three actions proposed by the campaign.
As individuals, we have a responsibility to ensure that we use the correct pronouns, refrain from telling transphobic jokes that perpetuate violence, de-gender our language and conversations, and share our allyship with others to confront and combat the discrimination that trans people face every day. Trans people need us to be genuine in our acceptance of them; awareness is not enough.
Signed:
Bethan Corner, Education Officer
Ella Williams, Activities & Opportunities Officer
Emily Tabern, Wellbeing Officer
Haryati Mohammed, Equality & Liberation Officer
Maria Papageorgiou, Union Affairs & Communications Officer
Vicky Zhuo, International & Postgraduate Officer
