Trans people in the UK face unprecedented levels of discrimination at work, in education, accessing public spaces and online. Many trans and non-binary people are now desperate to leave the UK – fearing things will only get worse with an increasingly likely Reform UK government looming on the horizon.
Reform UK is currently seen by some as the favourite party to win the next UK General Election. A far-right populist party who are anti-immigration and anti LGBTQIA +. Party leader Nigel Farage earlier this week said on LBC that he “didn”t support it” [same sex marriage] being made law in 2013. This has left the queer community terrified for future life in the UK, as they are worried where restricting their rights will end and what the future may hold for them.
Should I stay or should I go?
This is a question on the minds of just about every trans + person in the UK. Some are eager to leave but don’t have the necessary funds or means to do so, while others are planning to leave. A number of trans people have already left the country to settle elsewhere. Many barriers exist, such as the high cost of moving and of housing abroad, health issues and not being able to afford private health insurance, or private insurance not covering existing conditions, the difficulty of finding work abroad, Brexit restrictions (most EU countries only allow people who can support themselves through work to settle there) and last but not least family ties.
Not enough money to emigrate
Lack of funds is one of greatest barriers for many. Megan (she/her) says.”I think I”m f***k*d [sic]. Finances are poor. Too old for most migration schemes even though I have in demand skills.” Claire (she/her) says she has ‘a similar issue due to age’ and is ‘very nervous about the idea of resigning from a stable job.’ Both Megan and Claire are very experienced engineers.
Zoey (she/they) is tied to the UK by their mortgage. Will they move abroad? “Probably not immediately as I have a mortgage. Depends on how much worse it all gets though. Definitely something I have in the back of my mind though if it gets too dangerous to exist here.”
Chris (she/they) wants to leave but says it’s beyond their means. “I”m exhausted, approaching 50, and counties aren’t exactly screaming out for unemployed and anxious autistic trans folk, especially those with very little employment value.”
Health issues and family ties
Many trans people are disabled and have family/carer ties to the UK. Rosie (She/Her) says “I would leave now if I could but it’s just not possible. Disability and age are against me, and Brexit made it harder to get access to Europe. My brother tried moving to Spain and was refused health insurance for a pre-existing health issue so was denied a visa. I would get the same.”
Gwen (she/her) can’t see how she can leave. “It would mean not seeing my child, leaving my only source of income and my family. I have no savings so I can’t fund it. And where would I go? I’m pretty sure I’m not the only trans person for whom leaving the UK just isn’t possible.”
Catrin (she/her) wants to stay in the UK to be with her 85 year old mum. She says “I don’t see enough of her as it is.”
Jenny B (she/her) “In theory it would depend on whether my father is still alive, but to be honest it would not be economically possible, and there’s no prospect it would become so.”
Some refuse to leave – others are making plans
A researcher (he/him) is refusing to have their home taken from them. “I refuse to flee. I refuse to hide or dissappear. I want to stay and fight. For myself and every trans person who can”t leave. We’ve always existed here, and we always will.”
Blaize (she/her) “My wife and I already have our flights booked, we’re not waiting around for Reform [to further reduce our rights] when Labour’s already on it.”
Toni Widmo (she/her) “I don’t consider anywhere safe. I could try and rebuild my life somewhere else only to find that place turns fascist later. Or I can draw the line here and fight, possibly going down fighting. If I was younger I would be more excited to move.”
Anna (she/her) shares Toni’s fear and asks the question. “Is there a country that’s sure not to slide into fascism.”
Jennifer (she/her) “I’ll make my stand here.”
Isobel (she/her) “If it looks like there’s a chance, I will be in Ireland before election day. Because you don’t know how quickly it could be too late if they win”.
A trans diaspora
All of this leads to the likelihood of UK trans people being scattered across various countries, and raises concerns of trans + people becoming even more isolated and marginalised.
Made to leave their country of birth and their family behind in the same way some religions ban those who don”t follow the rules, excommunicated.
Oddette (she/her) believes trans people need to keep in close contact with each other to navigate through the crisis.
I think it’s important that everyone gets in touch with their local trans support groups. There’ll be others facing the same scenario. No one has to face this alone. We need to join up and network. Support each other, pool resources, pool ideas.
If you are affected by one of the issues described here, and want to talk to someone, you can contact the Samaritans via email or by phone.
