These are some of the issues we are now facing as transgender people on a daily basis, and I’ll come onto why below.

First off lets address the internal fears that Transgender people face on a daily basis which can be about their gender identity, their physical appearance, and how they are treated by the government, media and others.

Gender Identity

Most transgender people are trans because the of way they think about themselves, and the body they see.

These two things do not match, and this is called Gender Dysphoria (your mental thoughts do not match your physical body) which leads onto body dysphoria (you do not like the way your body looks to the point of self loathing and in extreme cases, self harm or even suicide).

While most people think transgender people wake up one morning and decide to be trans. What actually happens is we spend years with internal turmoil as we try to be something we are truly not, and we slowly decide to be what we actually are.

Discrimination

definition: the unjust or prejudicial treatment of different categories of people, especially on the grounds of ethnicity, age, sex, or disability.

One of the biggest fears that transgender people face is discrimination.

This may be in the form of being denied jobs, housing, or even medical care because of their gender identity.

They may also be harassed or assaulted, simply for being who they are or because they look different to what some people class as the normal. I know this is true of many minorities but lets concentrate on the subject at hand.

Another fear that transgender people are now beginning to face is violence.

Transgender people are more likely to be the victims of violence, including murder, than cisgender people. This violence can come from strangers, family members, or even friends.

Just recently, in the UK, a 16 trans girl called Brianna Ghey was murdered in Warrington by two other teenagers. This is a very severe case but assault and victimisation is on the increase in the UK.

Transgender people also face discrimination because they are misunderstood.

This discrimination might be being afraid of how other people will react when they learn about their gender identity, and this may also mean they keep their gender identity hidden for fear of being rejected, ridiculed or worse!

These fears then may have a significant impact on the mentality and lives of transgender people. They may make it difficult to go to school, get a job, or even mean they don’t want to leave their homes.

These things may also lead to depression, anxiety, and other mental health problems, such as agoraphobia.

It is important to remember that transgender people are just like everyone else, like you and I.

They/we/I, deserve to be treated with respect and dignity. We should all do our part to create a more inclusive and accepting society for transgender people.

Here are some ways to help transgender people:

• Use the correct pronouns and name. This really isn’t difficult but some people find it very hard to do!
• Educate yourself about transgender issues and help us by learning and understanding what it means to be transgender.
• Be an ally to the transgender community by speaking up against discrimination and violence.
• Support transgender organizations and businesses.
• Donate to organizations that are working to improve the lives of transgender people.

Just by taking these steps, you help to create a world where transgender people can live freely and without fear.

Contrary to popular myths, the transgender community are not, as portrayed in the media, sexual predators, or weirdos. The media seem to think we are there to be ridiculed or abused.

What has caused this rise in transphobia in the UK?

There are a number of factors that have contributed to the rise in transphobia in the UK over the past few years. These include:

• The increasing visibility of transgender people in the media and in public life. Actresses, actors, singers, presenters, social commentators, this list grows daily.
• The rise of social media, which has made it easier for people to spread transphobic messages and find like-minded individuals.to share their views with.
• The election of a Conservative government in 2019, which has rolled back some of the progress that had been made on transgender rights and continue to press for changes to law to prevent Transgender people living their lives.
• The current UK government allying themselves with anti transgender organisations. Even giving these organisations a voice at their party conference.
• Overturning of laws passed in parts of the UK which would have made Transgender peoples lives easier.
• The rise of far-right groups, which often target transgender people with their rhetoric, violence and untruths.
• Pushing for changes to the Equility and Human Rights Act to force Transgender people to use the bathroom of the gender written down at birth.
• The media spreading misinformation, untruths or highlighting issues purely because the victims or perpetrators are transgender.

This increase in transphobia has had a significant impact on the lives of transgender people in the UK.

They are more likely to experience discrimination, harassment, and violence than cisgender people.

Trans people are also more likely to experience mental health problems because of this.

It is important to remember that transgender people are just like everyone else. As a group we deserve to be treated with respect and dignity. We should all do our part to create a more inclusive and accepting society for not just transgender people BUT for all people, irrespective of sex, colour, creed or sexual preference!

Political

Just this January, 2023, an organisation called, the Council of Europe, placed the UK alongside countries with poor LGBTQ+ rights such as Russia, Hungary and Poland. Countries listed as sites of “extensive and often virulent attacks” against the LGBTQ+ communities.

And then in February, the UK’s own equalities watchdog, the EHRC, was disavowed by the coalition of 19 LGBT+ organisations who called on the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions to revoke the body’s A-rating because of institutional transphobia.

Further to this, in April, the government’s own LGBTQ+ convention, “Safe to Be Me” was cancelled due to it being boycotted over its decision to exclude trans people from its ban on LGBT conversion therapy.

And to top all of this the Equality Act of 2010, which has been helping to protect our rights and lives from discrimination, is said to be changed after recent correspondence between Minister for Women and Equalities, the Rt Hon Kemi Badenoch MP, and the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC), suggesting that the UK Government is considering amending the definition of sex in the Equality Act to make it easier to exclude trans people from single-sex spaces.

And let’s not forget that despite Theresa May‘s government promising to “ban conversion therapy” for trans people. This was promised over 5 years ago.

The current Tory government have still to action this and it’s a fear of many of my trans friends that the current government may go back on this promise or fail to action this.

For those who don’t know what conversion therapy is, here’s the Wikipedia description.

Conversion therapy is the pseudoscientific practice of attempting to change an individual’s sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression to align with heterosexual and cisgender norms.

Conversion therapy

The Media Bias

From what I’m reading in the mainstream media, it seems that every journalist in the UK has suddenly become an expert on Transgender people, trans matters, our bathroom habits and even our genitals!

Not a week goes by when I don’t read or hear about some article or show where trans people are talked about in the third person and usually in a negative way.

Of course this is read by the general public at large who’s mind set is, it’s in the news, so it must be true!

Also memes of TV mouthpieces fill Social Media channels, and these are again repeated as verbatim truths on peoples social media posts.

There’s also posts from the “Daily tomorrow’s toilet paper” spouting more bile about Transgender people.

I even get posts on my social media feeds containing videos of people posting BS and hate comments about me, my friends and transgender people in my email, social feeds and social messenger.

I know that everyone has their own opinions but sometimes the media takes these opinions as gospel fact and never apologise for mistruths or if they publicly misrepresent a trans person.

Again, lets take the case of Brianna Ghey.

This young trans woman was murdered but the media saw fit, to not only mis-gender her, but then went on to dead name her!

Totally abhorrent behavior from major UK news channels, and not to mention absolutely downright disrespectful.

She had just been murdered and you’re digging into her life!

I hope the same treatment is given to her killers, who couldn’t be named for legal reasons!!!!

The media, in my opinion, is just after the next 10 second soundbite to sell their channel, papers or get ratings.

The way they portray transgender people is a constant issue and is not helped by the way the government go about things.

If you don’t think it’s abhorrent then just repeat what you’ve heard and replace, transgender, with another minority.

The Bathroom debate, or the Elephant in the room, so to speak!

The bathroom debate is should transgender people be allowed to use the bathroom of their chosen sex. When what is meant by this is “Should trans women be allowed to use the women’s bathroom?”. It is totally forgotten that there are Transgender men as well!

The argument is always about safety. As a trans person I have been verbally abused and spat on in women’s bathroom of mainly CIS establishments and physically assaulted when trying to use the male bathroom. Lesser of two evils! Thankfully, many places I frequented when I first started to transition had mixed bathrooms.

The bathroom debate is the standard retort of transphobes, the ill informed and those with an axe to grind. I hear it time and time again about Transgender people. Also trans exclusionary radical feminists put this forward as their basis to deny the existence of Transgender people as their whole argument is to make out that we are some kind of sexual predator because we want to pee!

There is no evidence that transgender people are a danger to others in public bathrooms. In fact, studies have shown that transgender people are more likely to be the victims of violence than the perpetrators. However, this argument continues to be pushed by the media and government as fact!

Transgender women are not a danger to others in public restrooms.

There is no evidence to support the argument that transgender women are more likely to commit sexual assault or other crimes in public restrooms than cisgender women. In fact, studies have shown that transgender people are more likely to be the victims of violence than the perpetrators.

This argument is based on a fear that transgender women pose a danger in public restrooms because of prejudice and misinformation. It is important to remember that transgender women are women, and they deserve to be treated with the same respect and dignity as any other woman.

Transgender women who are on hormone replacement has virtually zero sex drive as the testosterone blockers and estrogen drugs they take have in most cases reduced their libido.

If you are concerned about safety in public restrooms, there are a few things you can do. First, you can educate yourself about transgender people and the issues they face. Second, you can speak out against discrimination and violence against transgender people. Third, you can support organizations that are working to make public restrooms safer for everyone.

It is important to remember that transgender women are not a danger in public restrooms. They are simply women who are trying to live their lives. By working together, we can create a more inclusive and welcoming world for everyone.

Transgender people should be able to use the bathroom that corresponds with their gender identity. This is the safest and most respectful option for everyone involved.

Requiring transgender people to use bathrooms that do not correspond with their gender identity is harmful and discriminatory.

If you’re of the opinion that Trans people should use the bathroom of their biological sex then be prepared for the shock of dealing with Trans men in your women’s bathrooms and trans women in men’s bathroom with your husbands!!!

There are a number of ways to make public bathrooms more inclusive for transgender people. One option is to have gender-neutral bathrooms available. Another option is to have single-stall bathrooms that anyone can use, regardless of their gender identity. I am please to say this is becoming more and more the norm.

It is important to remember that us transgender people are just like everyone else. We deserve to be treated with respect and dignity.

Transgender people make up less than 0.5% of the UK population (for those of you who’s math’s isn’t the best that’s about 336,650).

However, the way this is reported in the media does not reflect this.

You are highly unlikely to be in a bathroom with someone who is transgender unless you frequent places transgender people visit on a regular basis.

Everyone can help to create a more inclusive and welcoming society for all people, not just transgender people, by challenging hate, transphobia and discrimination.

The Police and Authorities

I have experienced quite a few anti trans people in the last few years and their opinions are usually centered around religious beliefs, “you are wrong”, “its not the will of god”, “your day of reckoning will come, heathen”, etc.

Usually though, non religious folks entire argument is centered around toilets and Transgender people being sexual deviants, predators or both.

More information on hate against transgender people and hate crimes in general can be found here: Transgender Hate – Stop Hate UK

What does the British public think about Transgender people and trans issues: What do the British public REALLY think about trans people? | Stonewall

Transgender and equal rights in the UK: key_facts_and_findings-_transgender_0.pdf (equalityhumanrights.com)

Medical, health care

Let’s be honest here the NHS is an amazing organisation, but in terms of treatments of trans health care, the NHS is stuck in the 1970’s when it comes to trans health care.

It’s mindset is over 50 years old. this goes for it’s attitudes, procedures and practices as well.

One of the biggest issues most transgender people have is dealing with the NHS, is not just for care of service, but care of duty.

Dealing with the NHS is a major source of anxiety and depression for most, and I have commented on this many times after dealing with my own GP.

The waiting list to see a NHS psychotherapist is now over 5 years in length and this is a funding, staffing, training and educational issue. A list of current waiting list times is available on the Gender GP website.

This is compounded because one of the main clinics for transgender people in the UK is broken, the Tavistock clinic. Rather than fix it, our government deem it’s best to close it instead.

This puts pressure on the remaining clinics, as no new ones are coming online to replace it.

There isn’t enough staff to build a meaningful service and the General Medical Council jumps on any private practises which spring up for doing the very same as the NHS provide.

This means that waiting times are long, doctors surgery’s can neither cope with, or understand, the needs of their trans patients and as such the service provided and the way trans patients are deal with is way below par.

Just look how long it took for me to get my doctor’s to change my name on my medical records, nearly 2 and a half years, and they only did that because I sat in the surgery and was very very angry.

Coupled with the way that the NHS is being run into the ground, it is a major worry for the future of trans health care.

The chronic lack of investment and underfunding in all areas of the NHS is evident for all to see, except those with shares on public health care companies!

It’s probably why most trans people choose to use private health care for their transgender care as the NHS is failing in every department.

Summary, the fears of Transgender people

The fears of transgender people are real because society is changing and the way we are viewed is changing.

Our fears are real, and because of it some transgender people are now more anxious about daily life or choose to hide away from society and end up with crippling anxiety, distress or other mental issues.

If you know a trans person, give them your support. If you hear transphobic comments then if safe, react to them, educate those spreading these hateful comments or report them.

The fears of transgender people by Mikki Tiamo

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Myths with aren’t quite “real world”, now are they?

Here’s some transgender myths explored but before I get into them, some might be asking, “just how would I know?”

Well, I have experience, as I’m transgender. Are you? What’s your experience?

The real world does not match the political and media myths/agenda, when it comes to transgender people, and how we live our lives.

Let’s explore a few myths about transgender people and how the media see’s transgender people.

The Transgender myths

• Transgender people are a risk to women and children.
• Transgender people are sexual predators
• Transgender people are over sexualising society/children.
• Transgender women want to watch you pee and use the women’s bathroom purely for this purpose!
• All transgender people are just men in a dress
• Transgender people are mental
• Transgender people should not exist
• Transgender people are an abomination. Socially, medically and in the eyes of “God”
• Transgender people are a burden on society
• Transgender people are a burden on the NHS
• Transgender people are the cause of war, famine, pestilance, and all that is wrong with the world.
• All Transgender people are gay.
• Surely its as easy as a few surgeries

All of these are total bullshit of course, as we are none of the above. Despite what you might read in the Daily Mail or other main stream rag!

Trans people are a risk to women and children

This is one of those absolute BS Transgender myths.

In reality, the biggest risk to women, and children is men, and other women.

Plus, I think some people need a reality check. They shouldn’t to forget that most sexual offenses against children are from their own family, the clergy and the educational establishment.

When a trans women goes in the toilets believe me the last thing she is trying to do is spy on other women!

Lets also not forget that the likely hood of you being in a public bathroom with a trans person is incredibly, incredibly slim.

We make up a very small percentage of the UK population. *

Trans people over sexualise society

Transgender people are definitely not over sexualising society, and if you honestly think this then you need to go have a good look at society in general.

I wont say any more other than what the media does to push a societal image to children, from small children through to their teenage years.

How they should look, who their role models are, even what they see on the TV, internet and social media, etc.

Trans people are just men in a dress

Are all transgender people just men in a dress, No, no, no, no, no!

Contrary to what you read in Newspapers, and Rishi and chums might think/tell you, 50% of trans people are Trans Men.

This is why I think the Changes to the Equality and Human Rights Bill is going to back fire on the political classes if they push it ahead.

There are going to be some very masculine looking trans men, who were born women, in the women’s bathroom and vice versa.

Transgender Men exist. The media only focus on Transgender Women.

Transgender people are mental

Are we mental?

Define mental!

Mental would be doing the same thing, day after day, and expecting a different result.

Dealing with depression and anxiety for most of my life, and knowing from an early age, I was not happy with my biological body. Plus, having a feminine mentality. However, after paying for many hours of psychotherapy, I was told I have gender and body dysphoria.

Then after spending a further year dealing with this information, reading about gender dysphoria, talking to many people, I put my life and career on the line to become who I should and wanted to be.

Dealing with my family, friends, clients and society at large, and handling all the questions, intrigue, love but also distain, hate and abuse.

Yes, I must be mental!

But at the end of the day I am such a happier, more socially rounded, helpful and caring human being than I ever was as the depressed shell of the former me.

So, to be that person, I would be mental.

This story is very similar to most transgender experiences.

Transgender people should not exist

Transgender people have as much right to exist as any other group in society.

One of the things that we are really good at as human beings is to find ways to both berate, abuse and marginalise groups in society that we see as different.

Remember that even just 50 years ago, in the UK coloured people were barred from certain sections of society because they were deemed unfit to be in that section of society. In some countries this is still prevalent.

America always strikes me as a country of massive contradictions.

“Land of the free” but also land of the hugely marginalised!

Sadly, the UK is going the same way.

Even the gay community was vilified just 20 years ago and coming out as gay would get you ostracized!

How many straight people attended Manchester and Brighton Pride this year and brought their kids and had an amazing time!

Trans people are not an abomination.

The media at large seek to put out vile articles about trans people on their webshites, TV channels and newspapers.

Any excuse to berate trans people is tooted from highest mountain.

How many “straight” people do the same of every hour of everyday because of what they read in the media?

Trans People are a burden on the NHS

As for trans people being a burden, I can’t tell you how much bullshit I’d need to wade through to find an ounce of proof in this claim. Lets explain this more.

The NHS
Most trans people suffer fifth rate medical help, at best, and the NHS waiting list just to see a specialist is over 5 years. That’s just to speak to some one and if you can get your GP to listen to you in the first place. I’ve had 3 years of dealing with a GP who don’t care, don’t listen and have done nothing to help, other than refer me.

Therefore, most trans people seek private health care in their transition needs.

Private care they pay for out of their own pockets!

Therefore I ask the question, “how is this a financial burden on the NHS?”

I have heard podcasts/radio programs, and read articles that say those who actually get help via the NHS are a burden when in reality in 2015 (the last year I could find figures for) Trans healthcare cost the NHS the minute sum of just £25 million pounds per year **.

In the grand scheme of how much the NHS spends, some £220 billion ***, this amount is about a tear drop into all the oceans combined.

Because, contrary to what the media portrays, there is not an army of trans people riding rough shod over the NHS and costing huge amounts of money!

Most of us cant/don’t access their healthcare via the NHS. Myself included.

The NHS doesn’t even supply my gender drugs prescription!

With my experience of the NHS trans care so far, nor would I want them to!

Trans People are a burden on society

Apparently we are a burden on society?

Just how are we supposed to be a burden on society in general?

I cannot understand why people would say this as nothing has changed in society in such a way that other people are pushed aside to accommodate us.

Most trans people just want to get on with their lives, live our lives to the fullest and enjoy our lives free from abuse and prejudice.

Be that societally, medically or legally!

We pay for our medical services, we pay our taxes, we pay our way, just like everyone else!

You are degrading society with your transgender ways

As for claims we are degrading society and causing major changes in the world order. Horse shit!

Government’s, politicians and media are the ones doing this not trans people. What power do trans people have to affect such political changes?

The anti trans narrative is being pushed to distract from other issues in society that the ruling classes can’t, don’t want to or see no point in fixing.

If you think that trans people are to blame for society’s problems then take a good look around as there are bigger things afoot.

Next thing we’ll be getting blamed for the failure of the NHS covid track and trace program failure? And if I want to be even more flippant, how about blaming transgender people for the failure of Mars rover crash in 1999? Why not?

All Transgender people are gay

Really!

I take it we’re back to talking about trans women here?

First off, my sexuality is non of your business.

In society in general there are lots of homosexual people. Do you go round asking them when their sexuality is?

If this really a question you want answers to, my response is, its non of your business.

People’s sexuality, is non of your business, whether they be trans, straight or, Gay!

If this is an issue to you, then are you homophobic?

Surely its as easy as a few surgeries

I’d put a face plant emoji here if I could!

Yes, and if you wave your magic fairy wand then all will be well with the world and transition would take minutes.

Its not just a few surgeries, its lots of years of waiting, unless you have money!

Discussing things with your GP takes time, effort and education. Of yourself and of your GP as typically most GP’s haven’t got a clue. Even getting a straight answer from your GP about blood test results can be a minefield.

Then getting to see a specialist doctor on the NHS, takes years. The current waiting list to see a Gender specialist is 5 years……

Even getting prescriptions fulfilled is an uphill battle.

Then there is years of hormone therapy and more waiting for surgery, followed by years of aftercare and possible further corrective surgery.

The list and time goes on and on.

So no, its not as simple as a few surgeries!

Summary

The more transgender myths the media level towards Trans people, the more Trans People will push back.

I have a very large group of friends from many sections of society and none of them have any issues with me or my other trans friends, especially those above.

Links

* Gender identity, England and Wales – Office for National Statistics (ons.gov.uk) (Office for national statistics link)

** How much does the NHS spend on transgender services? (NHS website link)

*** How much does the NHS spend in total (British Medical Association link)

This is a living document and will be added to and amended over time.

The post Transgender myths, how Transgender people are portrayed in the media appeared first on Official website of Mikki Tiamo.

The very fact that this young girl has died is terrible but I’m also very angry about the manner in which it was reported by the mainstream media.

For those that don’t know Brianna was murdered in a park in Warrington on Sunday the 12th of February 2023.

Murdered by two 15 year olds.

Stabbed with a knife, in a public park, in broad daylight!

WTF! Seriously!

My heart really goes out to the family of Brianna at this moment in time as I can not even comprehend the pain they must be feeling after the murder of their child.

I know what I think about the murder is immaterial until we know all the facts but I just find it utterly abhorrent that she was killed in the first place.

This is irrespective of the child’s gender which has been the media’s main focus.

I have want to comment about the manner the mainstream media reported Brianna’s death.

First, let’s look at the way that they actually introduced that Brianna have been murdered.

The BBC’s narrative was that a trans girl had been murdered, and this wasn’t a hate crime.

Sky news reported in the same manner that this wasn’t a hate crime and a trans girl have been murdered.

The media even dead named Brianna, calling her by her past name. Sadly this is par for the course with the mainstream media when discussing trans people.

Secondly, a child has been murdered, and it was probably premeditated.

Why are kids carrying knives?

Why is it important for us to know that it’s a trans child?

I dont know the answers to these questions, but dead naming anyone who has changed their name is utterly abhorrent and in my humble opinion should only be relevant if the person being discussed is the perpetrator of a crime while they were their old name!

Whether or not this was a trans boy or a girl is immaterial, a child have been murdered.

Probably murdered because these two teenagers didn’t agree with how Brianna had chosen to live her life.

This is no doubt from opinions gleaned from these children’s parents, the media, society at large, or perhaps a religious view!

Thirsly, not only has Brianna been killed and her family will be out through hell from the loss of their child, but the killers family have also now lost their children!

However, I do not morn for these teenagers or their family but I am saddened that 3 family will not see their teenage children become adults in a proper manner.

It also strikes me that now these teenagers have been charged with the murder of Brianna Ghey they get given anonymity by the courts and press because they are still children. It’s a pity the same anonymity and dignity wasn’t afforded to Brianna or her family, as her life was exposed for the sake of sensationalism and viewers.

The main stream media always do whatever they can to sell their sleazy news publications! Even the BBC which claims, (laughs), to be an impartial broadcaster.

I spoke to a lot of friends about this as Brianna’s murder has hit a nerve not just with the transgender community but also with the public at large, something which hit home to me when I attended the Brianna Ghey vigil in Sackville gardens in central Manchester.

Previous vigils I have attended had maybe 200 to 300 people in attendance but this one was very different with over 2000 people in attendance.

I have never seen so many people in Sackville gardens and I have attended a lot of vigils, rallies, and demonstrations in the gardens.

This was the largest volume of people I have seen in that area of Manchester.

Again, this was really down played by the media who instead of using photographs of the thousands of people in the gardens decided to use close-ups of people and items within the gardens at the time.

They did not even mention the number of people who attended!

Back to the discussions I’ve had with friends who have asked some very searching questions, not just about why they think Brianna was murdered but also about the way the media reported this.

Be these friends, trans, LGBTQ+, CIS or otherwise they are all disgusted about the treatment of Brianna.

I fear this may not be the last Trans murder before the year’s end because of the direction the UK is going with its anti trans rhetoric, something I’ve experiencing more in the past 6 months than previous 3 years.

Trans gender people have been around since before the bible was written, we just want to be left alone to live our lives in peace and the harder society pushes us, the harder we will push back.

If there is one thing I’ve done this year because of all the anti trans rhetoric is to be more proactive in the trans community and I will continue to do so as long as I am pushed by government, the media, and society at large.

RIP Brianna

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