“I HAVE BEEN THERE – I HAVE LIVED IT” Ella Morgan-Clark, a patient advisor for Transform Hospital Group, is an ambassador for the leading cosmetic surgery, weight loss and medical aesthetics provider’s new Identité service for transgender and non-binary patients. In our blog, she talks about how her own transition journey makes her uniquely placed to advise patients with professionalism, empathy and understanding… I’ve worked with Transform Hospital Group for almost two years and until recently I’d been supporting patients through a range of treatments, from breast reductions to rhinoplasty ..read more

Sparkle – The National Transgender Charity joins our community in its despondency and dismay following this week’s announcement by Liz Truss, the current Minister for Women and Equalities, regarding the recent consultation on reforming the Gender Recognition Act (2004), the legislation which allows trans people to be recognised as their authentic selves. The consultation received approximately 108,000 responses, and despite overwhelming support for removing the need for a diagnosis of Gender Dysphoria, an invasive and dehumanising medical report detailing all treatment, and the requirement to ..read more

Sparkle – The National Transgender Charity is disturbed by the recent statement from Liz Truss MP, the current Minister for Women and Equalities, regarding evidence to the Women and Equalities Select Committee, setting out what she sees as priorities for the Government Equalities Office. Acting Chair of Sparkle, Lee Clatworthy, says; “By highlighting single-sex spaces, “checks and balances” for trans adults, and access to gender affirming healthcare for younger (under-18s) trans people, this statement not only suggests an intention to roll back hard-won rights for the trans and gender non-con ..read more

It is with much dismay and sadness that Sparkle – The National Transgender Charity’s Board of Trustees has made the unprecedented decision to cancel this year’s Sparkle Weekend, which was due to take place in Manchester’s Gay Village from Friday 10th until Sunday 12th July. Despite preparations being underway, the health and safety of our visitors is our primary concern, and we believe that we have a responsibility to protect our community and its allies, many of whom may have existing and underlying conditions which put them at more risk from the Coronavirus pandemic. We are currently looking ..read more

Rain Without a Rainbow: How the Storm of Brexit is Hurting the Transgender Community & Transgender Asylum Seekers As international Pride events take place this year honour of the 50th year anniversary of the Stonewall riots, it is often remarked on how much progress has been made to advance LGBTQI+ rights. From the Gender Recognition Act in 2004 to equal marriage in 2013, legislation has been implemented in the UK to recognise and protect LGBTQI+ people and yet this doesn’t equate to equality across the board. Hate crime against the trans community has risen by a terrifying 81% since 2016 ..read more

Abi Giles won the Miss Sparkle Contest 2019. Since then she has become one of Sparkle - The National Transgender Charity's Key Volunteers. She was one of the subjects in the #YouBroughtYourOwnLight photography exhibition, and also appeared in McCain's 'We Are Family' campaign. Abi is a vocal and eloquent advocate for trans rights, and is an active member of the Trans NHS Staff Network. 'When I presented myself in that way I felt more confident and comfortable.' 'I started to think, this is who I am. I’ve been through male puberty so I’ll never have the same features as a cisgender woman – my ..read more

Mermaids and Starbucks UK's new advertisement showing a young person establishing their individuality and gender identity is an affecting and emotive message of acceptance, and many trans and non-binary/genderfluid people can identify with James' story. Starbucks is proud to be launching a new limited-edition Mermaids Cookie, which is now available to buy in participating stores across the UK! The cookie is in the shape of a mermaid’s tail and will help create a splash for charity Mermaids, raising £100k to support its helpline services. Sparkle - The National Transgender Charity is excited t ..read more

Walk down Oxford Road and you might not notice the Joyce Layland Centre, a non-descript building tucked behind the Eighth Day Café. Now run by the Proud Trust, and a safe and welcoming community space for LGBT+ people of all persuasions, races, gender identities and beliefs, the story of the woman and civil rights campaigner who gave her name to the centre is both extraordinary and inspiring. In 1986 Cath, the mother of a young gay son who had recently come out to her, spoke to Joyce on a helpline offering advice and support to the parents of gay children. Joyce told her about the work she did ..read more

LGBT+ History Month 2020; Poetry, Prose and Plays Today is the start of #LGBTHistoryMonth and an opportunity to remember the trans and gender non-conforming activists who fought for equality, and how important it is to continue the vital and life-saving work which they started. LGBT History Month is intended to encourage honesty and openness about being LGBT. While it was first known as Lesbian and Gay History Month, the coordinating committee soon added "bisexual" to the title. It has subsequently become known as LGBT History Month. The overall aim of LGBT+ History month is to promote equali ..read more

Manchester's Gay Village is the spiritual home of the #SparkleWeekend and we are grateful for the support of the business owners, venue staff, and our LGB+ allies. Hatch, an independent consultancy, has been commissioned by Manchester City Council to find out what Canal Street and its surroundings mean to everyone who works here, lives here, or just visits to enjoy the diverse and welcoming night time economy. If you're as passionate about the Village as Sparkle - The National Transgender Charity and want to make your voices heard, register your interest in the consultation at village.survey ..read more