Holiday and cure?

I'm off abroad for a week's holiday, which I haven't done for some years. So I'm really looking forward to a relaxed time on the beach in the Canary Islands, which promises to be warm (22C this week, compared to about 5C here). I have packed my sunscreen, bikini (yes, really) and summer gear and I plan to do precisely nothing at all strenuous.

The day after I get back I am finally going to get to see a consultant dermatologist, and I hope that I might make better progress on this stupid skin problem that has killed my public presence as Sue.

Byeee!

Sue x

Transgender Day of Remembrance

In the midst of some very difficult weeks when the world has been shocked by terrorist acts and threats, it is perhaps more appropriate than ever to consider the difficult and dangerous times in our lives that we trans people all have, and remember those who have suffered so badly that they are no longer with us.

Let trans people and their supporters also be mindful of the way we treat one another, and how we treat all people generally. We all ask for compassion and understanding from others, so let's exercise it ourselves and show everyone how it's done. That way we can diminish the hate and increase the joy all round.

Sue x

LGBT professionals

I guess I’m an LGBT professional, but being self-employed and still using my male credentials for work means I’m not really ‘out’. But I’d like to mention some of those who’ve made the bold, brave step of coming out in employment and are thereby making the reality of trans life better known.

This post was prompted by a special feature in London’s Financial Times of October 20th, entitled “Executive Diversity”, featuring a number of articles about top executives who are gay or trans and what it means for corporations and multinationals.

The centre spread is an excellent article by my friend Pippa who manages, in just 700 words, to explain trans life and diversity to non-trans people and the usefulness to companies of having their LGBT employees ‘out’ at work. Pippa, whom I see a lot and whom I’ve presented as the ultimate party girl in this blog, is also a VP of banking multinational Crédit Suisse. Gender fluid, she works as Pippa or Phil, as arranged with her employer.

Last week she also gave a presentation at the Credit Suisse office in London’s docklands on the same subject, attended by some 300 professionals.

Amy Stanning, who’s been out with us to lunch in the past, is with Barclays Bank and the Financial Times defines her as a leading LGBT executive. This is fantastic.

The financial sector used to be a bastion of macho culture and privilege but after innumerable failings, certainly in British industrial tribunal cases brought by women in particular, but LGBT people also, this sector has had to change and here’s a living example of just how, incredible as it may seem. Well done, Pippa and Amy.

I should also mention the trans candidates for the general election back in the spring who are also showing that we really can and do participate in society like anyone else, especially Stella Gardiner who did brilliantly in the Bexleyheath and Crayford constituency, nearly tripling her party’s share of the vote since the last election (and this despite some very nasty abuse from the USA, like a domestic election is anyone else’s business!) Thanks for your efforts, Stella, and for putting yourself out there. 

 

Sue x