On Trans Day of Visibility, we're proud to be a visibly trans-led network

Image by Alex Clare-Young incorporating the trans flag in a white circle on a purple background.

TODAY, 31st March, is International Trans Day of Visibility (TDoV) a day to show your support for the trans community. It aims to bring attention to the accomplishments of trans people around the globe while fighting transphobia by spreading knowledge of the trans community.

Unlike Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDoR on November 20th), this is not a day for mourning: this is a day of empowerment and giving our trans siblings the recognition they deserve!

One of our Co-Chairs, Alex Clare-Young, has blogged and vlogged to help trans and non-binary friends and colleagues be more visible today, including fellow Co-Chair Sarah Hobbs. The Open Table Network is proud to be led by our trans Co-Chairs, and inspired by our trans Patron Rachel Mann. We’re also delighted to see trans volunteers in the leadership of many of our communities across England and Wales.

Alex is a theologian, writer, campaigner, and Pioneer Minister with Downing Place United Reformed Church in Cambridge. As a trans-masculine non-binary person, Alex is passionate about advocating for the inclusion of, and social justice for, trans people. Their first book, Transgender. Christian. Human. was published in 2019. WATCH Alex’s intro video [1.5 mins] *

Sarah works as the Managing Director of a consultancy which supports large organisations to identify and release the talents of their employees. She is an experienced conference speaker with a passion for helping people to realise their potential. In 2017, she publicly came out as a transgender woman and began her transition process. WATCH Sarah’s intro video [2.5 mns]

Rachel Mann is an Anglican Priest, poet, writer and broadcaster. She has also written comment pieces for The Church Times, The Times, and The Guardian. She also contributes to radio programmes on BBC Radio, including Sunday Worship, in which she recently incorporated a reflection on the ministry of the Open Table Network. WATCH Rachel’s intro video [4 mins]

In Alex’s video for TDoV, Sarah Hobbs says:

I’ve always had quite a strange relationship with the Trans Day of Visibility. I guess for me, for a long time, I was quite hidden about being trans, and so every time I came out to anyone, it was a massive kind of ‘gulp’ moment, I really used to think it through. Every year on Trans Day of Visibility I would, though, look at everyone coming out on social media and think 'I’m trans, I’m proud, I want to do that!' But I didn’t. I found it really hard, and just couldn’t bring myself to do it. And even when I transitioned, I wanted lots of control over who knew, how the message came out, I wanted my narrative to be the one that people heard. But I guess since I’ve transitioned I’ve realised that I can’t have that kind of control. People are going to know, they hear it from other people, they find out.

But I have to say, becoming Co-Chair of the Open Table Network was definitely another leap, and another 'gulp' moment. When I’d recorded my bio and my video and put those across ready to be circulated, I thought: 'I’ve lost control here now, people are going to hear about my story, they’re going to know about me, and that visibility is going to be there.' And it was quite a tough thing, but I have to say, very quickly I got used to it, and I realised that actually, not having to hide, and being able to be authentically myself and have people know my story made me so much happier, and so much more relaxed. And it’s afforded me all sorts of amazing opportunities to talk about my story, and to let people know about my gender identity, to grow friendships and to work alongside an organisation that hopefully, for the people listening who are trans people of faith, could make their life a little bit easier., and deepen their relationship with God, and to move forward in their life.

You know, this day is not right for everyone. I don’t think we should feel forced or pressured into being visible just because there’s a day for it, but I know that for me it was the right time, and I’m really proud now to have my name out there on social media and to celebrate Trans Day of Visibility.

When Alex asked people on social media what they’d like to hear them talk about today, someone said that they should talk about the fact that ‘God is non-binary’. So Alex wrote a poem called ‘God is non-binary’, which you can read on their blog or hear in the video.

Please do give 15 minutes of your time to this video today, and share in solidarity with our trans and non-binary siblings if you are able.

*UPDATED March 2022 to reflect a change in Alex’s roles.