From Emma Stephens-DuCros, UNISON Surrey Branch
Trans Pride Surrey took place on the 13th of September this year.
This is only the second Trans Pride to be held in Surrey.
Last year about 20 people took part, this year that figure was over double, at around 50. Unfortunately, the venue that had been arranged in advance was “suddenly unavailable” and another location had to be arranged.
The organisers did a brilliant job of sourcing another venue at such short notice, but unfortunately that left the after-march gathering inaccessible to some of those on the march.
The meeting place at the start of the march also had to be changed, and I wonder how many others would have joined if we hadn’t been let down by the original venue.
As it was, the march was small, but LOUD and POWERFUL. The overwhelming response from the people of Epsom was positive, with a few joining our march and coming along for the after-march entertainment.
The South East Region LGBT+ committee kindly donated to this event. The organisers said that they would not have been able to afford a venue without our sponsorship, so UNISON really did make a difference to this Pride.
Ably assisted by my eldest, we ran a UNISON stall to provide access to important information about Transgender, non-binary and gender diverse rights at work.
The current political climate produced emotional speeches, a lot of anger, but mostly an overwhelming outpouring of love for all our Transgender, non-binary and gender diverse siblings.
It was beautiful in its rawness, and I shed a few tears at the stories and songs in remembrance of friends and family no longer with us.
Special mention to:
- Trans Pride Surrey for organising the event
- Nat for leading the chants and her impassioned speech by the suffragette statue in Epsom.
- queerasanaro for making me cry with his song
- and the Surrey Rainbow Choir a rousing singalong at the end
