Transvox

This week, Gillian interviews Ash Sekhon, a historian and gender-fluid trans author living in the Netherlands after time in the US, Scotland, and Canada. They explain leaving adjunct university teaching in the US after Trump-era DEI cuts and now writing full time while supported by savings and investments, and choosing the Netherlands for its tolerant laws and culture.

They discuss Ash’s Victorian-tinged Gothic novella Assumptions, which opens with a man waking in a London morgue and centres on how rumours and respectability culture can destroy lives, paralleling past panic about gay people with modern misinformation about trans people.

Ash describes research into 1830s–50s Edinburgh and late-1800s pre–Great War Europe, references Britain’s 1885 law used against Oscar Wilde, outlines the rivalry between Henry and manipulative Dr. Dick Falstaff, and notes ongoing work on a prequel and sequel.

The paperback is available via Waterstones and Amazon; contact is via assumptionsbook.wordpress.com.

00:00 Meet Ash

00:39 Historian and Identity

01:14 Research and Writing Life

02:22 Why the Netherlands

03:00 Why Write Assumptions

04:38 Plot and Themes

05:35 Rumor as Weapon

07:38 History Echoes Today

11:09 Victorian Evidence Hunt

12:46 Characters and Rivalry

16:06 Sequel and Prequel Plans

17:46 Where to Buy and Connect

18:45 ADHD and the Writing Process

20:02 Wrap Up and Thanks

You can contact us at [email protected] and find out more at transvox.co.uk

Gillian and Jenny discuss what trans people can learn from World Cup footballers about surviving scrutiny, online abuse, and long-term pressure, using sport as a metaphor.

They explore “microclimates” and how adapting to different social contexts can support safety and wellbeing while still valuing authenticity, including how transition often involves constant social and presentation adjustments.

They emphasise building a “team” or “posse” through friends, volunteering, charities, arts, and online spaces, while noting the harms of being bullied off social media and the loss of inclusive groups.

They compare the responsibility felt by visible trans people to athletes carrying national expectations, and debate balancing personal truth with political impact.

They also argue for focusing more on physical health, exercise, and community activities alongside mental health support.

They end with World Cup predictions, with Jenny backing France.

00:00 Bin Bag Banter

00:35 Sport as Resilience Metaphor

02:51 Microclimates and Authenticity

04:04 Transition and Social Adaptation

11:12 Finding Your Team

12:22 Social Media and Safe Spaces

19:08 Resilience Veterans Quiz

21:30 Visible Trans Pressure

23:29 More Than Being Trans

25:34 Microclimates and Authenticity

26:13 Fake Authentic Politics

29:48 Purpose and Resilience

30:35 Physical Health Matters

36:29 Bullied Back Shadows

38:34 World Cup Predictions

40:58 Final Sign Off

You can contact us at [email protected] and find out more at transvox.co.uk

Hosts Jenny and Gillian discuss the UK Equality and Human Rights Commission’s finalised guidance following a Supreme Court judgment defining sex in the Equality Act as biological sex at birth, and reactions to earlier draft guidance that suggested excluding trans people from toilets and other single-sex spaces.

They note some “most insane” proposals were removed, an early day motion has nearly 100 MP signatures, and UNISON is campaigning against implementation, while businesses say the guidance is unworkable.

The conversation focuses on practical impacts on single-sex services—especially NHS patient accommodation—alongside the guidance’s case-by-case proportionality tests, limits on policing toilets, and how courts must “take the code into account.” They discuss enforcement difficulties, risks of complaints and tribunal precedent, personal harm and “catastrophising,” and conclude it’s regressive but not the end of the world, with legal and political pushback likely.

00:00 Introduction

01:15 Background: Supreme Court & EHRC Guidance

05:10 NHS & Single-Sex Services

15:45 Legal Enforcement & Burden of Proof

20:39 Personal Impact & Mental Health

21:40 Looking Forward

You can contact us at [email protected] and find out more at transvox.co.uk

This week, Gillian interviews Melissa D from Loving Me, who discusses her background as a late-transitioning trans woman from the West Midlands, her career shift from accounts clerk to social worker, and work in substance misuse and mental health before transitioning in her 40s.

Melissa explains Loving Me’s mission and services as the first UK domestic abuse service solely by and for trans and non-binary people, founded in 2022 after trans people were failed by existing domestic abuse systems, including inappropriate accommodation placements.

She describes how domestic abuse affects trans communities, highlighting identity-based and familial abuse, younger referral patterns, and barriers to safe accommodation, worsened by recent legal uncertainty. Loving Me runs the UK’s first trans and non-binary domestic abuse refuge, provides sector training and advocacy, is recruiting an 18–25 worker, and can be contacted via www.lovingme.uk, [email protected], she also signposts Galop and other regional services.

00:00 Welcome

01:24 Melissa’s Transition Story

02:13 Late Transition Challenges

04:42 What Loving Me Does

07:15 Why Trans+ people Need DA Support

09:59 Barriers and Safe Housing

16:01 Refuge Model and Training

18:14 How to Get Help

21:57 Catchment and Confidentiality

23:20 Socials and Other Services

25:23 Final Thanks and Goodbye

You can contact us at [email protected] and find out more at transvox.co.uk

#transgenderhealth, #trans, #transgender,

Gillian interviews returning guest Abi, a PR consultant focused on trans inclusion, and Jacqui, a physio, meditation teacher, writer, and mother of a young trans woman, about their work with NION Women/Not In Our Name.

They were part of the team that formed the collective to counter media and political narratives that pit cisgender women against trans women, particularly after the Supreme Court ruling and subsequent EHRC draft code, arguing trans people are scapegoated to distract from male violence against women and girls.

They created an open letter/mission statement calling on non-trans women to sign and share it, reaching 100,000 signatures on the ruling’s anniversary with support including the Good Law Project and high-profile allies.

Their short-term goal is to use the signatures to demand balanced media coverage and influence decision-makers; they promote the letter at notinourname.org.uk and on social as @nionwomen.

00:00 Welcome

00:26 Meet Jacqui and Abi

01:45 Why NION Women Formed

03:00 Catalyst Supreme Court Fallout

05:05 The Open Letter Explained

06:57 Signature Surge and Allies

08:23 Media Narratives and Real Risks

11:14 Personal Turning Point

14:10 Follow the Money Strategy

15:43 Short Term Goals and Balance

17:13 Responding with Kindness

19:57 Future Plans Beyond Social

22:19 Allies and Women Voices

24:12 How to Sign and Follow

25:37 Final Thanks and Wrap

You can contact us at [email protected] and find out more at transvox.co.uk

Gillian and Jenny begin Transvox season two by catching up on major trans-related UK stories from recent months. They discuss the Women’s Institute and Girl Guides planning to exclude trans girls, describing these moves as cruel fallout from a Supreme Court judgment being used to justify wider exclusion, including in amateur sport.

They revisit puberty blockers and the Cass Report, linking restrictions on blockers and hormones for 16–17-year-olds to increased distress and criticising “both sides” framing.

They note political and public allies (including Olly Alexander and Green Party support), Labour’s exclusion of trans women from its women’s conference, and NHS moves to end shared care with private providers.

They cover Marks & Spencer reaffirming trans inclusion, backlash to Stonewall chair Kezia Dugdale’s comments on a noted anti-trans person, the accidental fire at Pink Punters, and a court overturning a fine against the University of Sussex.

00:00 Season Two Kickoff

01:23 WI Branches Closing

02:44 Guides and Kids Rights

05:13 Swimming and Inclusion

08:29 Cricket and Exclusion

10:05 Cass and Blockers Fallout

13:31 Allies and Party Politics

15:58 Rowling and Media Power

19:55 NHS Shared Care Crackdown

21:54 M&S Pushes Back

23:19 Shopping After Transition

24:39 Stonewall Chair Controversy

26:06 Rowling and Charity Accountability

28:02 Pink Punters Fire Fallout

28:47 Why Venues Matter

30:54 Milton Keynes Trans History

33:11 Sussex Fine Overturned

35:20 EHRC Guidance Confusion

38:05 Movement Regroups

39:52 Reform Farage Media Blindspot

42:06 Wrap Up and Next Time

You can contact us at [email protected] and find out more at transvox.co.uk

#transgenderhealth, #trans, #transgender,

In this episode of Transvox, we’re joined by Abigail Parkes from Beyond Reflections and Emma LeatherBarrow from the Wessex Cancer Alliance.

They discuss innovations and challenges in cancer care for the trans community, including the importance of early diagnosis, and the barriers trans people face in accessing adequate healthcare.

Key initiatives like the 'Trans Aware Cancer Care' project and the introduction of a healthcare navigator service are highlighted as steps towards providing equitable and effective care.

The episode emphasises the need for personalised support, education for healthcare providers, and collaborative efforts to reduce health disparities.

00:00 Introductions

00:58 Meet Abigail Parkes and Beyond Reflections

01:23 Emma LeatherBarrow and Wessex Cancer Alliance

02:24 The Importance of Early Cancer Diagnosis

02:53 Challenges Faced by Trans People in Cancer Care

05:01 Trans Aware Cancer Care Project

05:59 Introducing the Healthcare Navigator Initiative

08:38 How the Healthcare Navigator Service Works

10:28 Training and Support for Healthcare Navigators

12:27 Accessing the Healthcare Navigator Service

14:10 Collaborations and Future Initiatives

16:06 Final Thoughts and Conclusion

You can contact us at [email protected] and find out more at transvox.co.uk

In this episode of Transvox, Jenny and Gillian delve into the complexities of self-medication among trans+ individuals in the UK.

They explore the reasons behind the rising trend of hormone self-administration due to long NHS waiting lists and the high costs of private healthcare.

The conversation highlights the risks associated with unsupervised hormone treatment and emphasises the importance of seeking reliable sources and community support.

The hosts stress the need for better healthcare access and systemic change to ensure safer and more effective gender-affirming care.

00:00 Introduction

00:14 Winter Olympics Obsession

00:37 Empathy and American Skiers

01:31 Enhanced Games and Steroids

02:28 DIY Hormone Therapy

03:41 Challenges in Trans Healthcare

05:49 Self-Medication Risks and Realities

08:26 Importance of Proper Medical Guidance

10:15 Navigating NHS and Private Healthcare

17:06 Support Networks and Mental Health

30:45 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

You can contact us at [email protected] and find out more at transvox.co.uk

In this episode, Joanne Lockwood shares her extensive experiences in leadership wwith Gillian, spanning from her early days in the military to her current roles in various organisations.

The discussion delves into her philosophy on leadership, emphasissng the importance of continuous momentum, imperfect plans, and adaptive leadership.

Joanne also explores the evolving landscape of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), highlighting the need for well-being-focused initiatives and the challenges of implementing DEI effectively within organisations.

The conversation touches on the importance of creating environments where everyone can thrive, the significance of leadership training, and the impact of positive people experiences on organisational culture.

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

01:16 Joanne's Early Leadership Journey

02:41 Key Lessons in Leadership

05:40 The Role of Failure and Adaptability

06:56 Diverse Leadership Experiences

11:40 The Importance of DEI in Organisations

15:33 Creating Positive People Experiences

18:23 Macro vs. Micro Leadership Approaches

19:12 The Role of Conflict in Diversity

20:04 Bottom-Up Organisational Change

20:57 Middle Management and Cultural Disconnect

21:49 Empowering Grassroots Leadership

23:28 The Importance of Conversations Over Debates

25:13 Outcome vs. Belief in Leadership

26:45 Challenges in DEI Implementation

28:19 Creating Inclusive Cultures

30:14 Addressing Disenfranchisement

34:24 Leadership and Individual Needs

37:35 Concluding Thoughts on Leadership

You can contact us at [email protected] and find out more at transvox.co.uk

In this episode of Transvox, hosts Gillian and Jenny Harvey discuss how the UK TV show 'The Traitors' provides insightful lessons applicable to trans people and therapy patients.

Jenny, donned in her Saturday football-watching attire (a green cloak...!) describes her fascination with the show's dynamics, revealing how it mirrors real-world anxiety and the emotional toll of concealing one’s true identity.

They delve into concepts like confirmation bias and the pressures of hiding one’s true self, particularly for trans individuals.

The conversation then shifts to broader cultural and psychological implications, including the challenges faced by older individuals and the importance of being part of supportive communities. They conclude by emphasising the relief and joy of discussing varied topics beyond just trans issues.

00:00 Introduction and Theme

00:53 Exploring 'The Traitors' TV Show

04:04 Trans Experience and Hidden Identities

14:05 Confirmation Bias and Its Impact

24:08 Visibility and Social Dynamics

28:09 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

You can contact us at [email protected] and find out more at transvox.co.uk