A competition for young trans/non binary writers
Creativity and inspiration are two of the most important things in helping young people understand themselves and their place in the world.
In our increasingly dystopic society, it can also serve as an outlet, a way to express and understand feelings of fear and anger.
There are already hundreds of creative writing competitions for young people across the UK and now LGBT+ charity The Proud Trust is launching “Transmissions” the first ever of its kind for trans/non-binary kids.
It’s being judged by rapper Nate Ethan, Christine Burns MBE and British Anglican priest and feminist theologian, Rev. Rachel Mann.
Closing date is October 31st and anyone aged between 11 and 19 can enter. The winners will be announced by 30th November – they’ll get their work published and win a share of a £400 cash prize.
We chatted to the founder of The Proud Trust Sally Carr to find out more.
Hi Sally – tell us a bit about The Proud Trust and its inception.
The Proud Trust is a life-saving and life-enhancing charity that helps LGBT+ young people to empower themselves to make change for themselves and their communities. Our first youth group began in the 1970s, and is still going strong with meetings twice a week. We now have over 20 LGBT+ youth provisions across Greater Manchester and West Cheshire and work alongside many other LGBT+ youth organisations in the UK and Ireland to deliver LGBT+ youth support across the country. We also work with schools, colleges, social workers and other professionals that work with young people to ensure that LGBT-phobia is being challenged in all areas of life.
Why is it especially important right now to support young trans and non-binary people?
Trans and non-binary young people are still experiencing distressingly high levels of prejudice and discrimination in school, at home and in public life. This transphobia often leads to poor mental and physical health, increases in homelessness, unemployment and simply being unable to reach their full potential. Not only does this deprive them of the full life that they deserve, but the rest of us lose out on the wonderful talent that trans and non-binary people can bring to our communities. The difference that even one person can make in supporting and listening to a trans or non-binary young person is life-changing and potentially life-saving, and I would encourage everyone to stand up to transphobia and be an ally wherever they can.
How and why did Transcriptions come into being?
Transcriptions is part of a drive to celebrate trans and non-binary young people publicly, in an effort to counter the negative, objectifying and pathologising press stories that surround them at the moment. We realised we couldn’t publish images and names of trans and non-binary young people very easily due to the risk of them being targeted by trolls, so we decided to showcase their literary talent with the option of hiding their name if they wanted. We hope that by sharing the fantastic work of so many trans and non-binary young people, readers will be more able to see the whole person, and have a positive attitude to trans and non-binary people.
To find out more and to enter, head to theproudtrust.org
