The return of the badge!
Following a fantastic take-up last year, badges helping raise awareness that you can’t assume someone’s gender identity and the pronouns they use will be available again across the city from Monday 1 April.
The badges are part of a campaign to raise awareness of trans and non-binary people to mark Trans Day of Visibility on 31 March.
They are being made available to any council and partner organisation staff, as well as members of the public, who want to take part. Wearing the badges is, of course, voluntary.
Where to get your badge
You can pick up one of the badges at any of the city’s libraries, the council customer service centres at Bartholomew House and Hove Town Hall, the receptions at Brighton Town Hall, Hove Town Hall and Portslade Town Hall, or in Brighton Museum, Hove Museum and the Register Office in Brighton Town Hall.
The badges available will be:
- She, her, hers
- He, him, his
- They, them, theirs
- Please use my name
- Blank, for the wearer to fill in
- Trans Ally
This year, we’re also making a number of stickers available in some of the city’s secondary schools and further education colleges for any young people who want to show their support. The stickers read:
- Trans Day of Visibility
- Respect my pronouns, respect me
- Gender is a spectrum
- Trans Ally
- My pronouns matter
The campaign has been put together by the council with support and involvement from local LGBT+ community groups, including The Clare Project, Trans Alliance, Allsorts Youth Project, the council’s LGBT Workers Forum, local NHS trusts, NHS Eastbourne, Hailsham and Seaford Clinical Commissioning Group, East Sussex Fire & Rescue, University of Brighton, University of Sussex, and Sussex Police.
Read the badge, respect people
The message of the campaign is to read the badge and respect people. It’s that easy.
We all define our own gender and we should respect other people’s identities, and rights.
While there is more freedom and safety to be ourselves, there’s still more to do.
Who a person is may not match what you expect and may not be defined easily. If someone’s pronouns differ from what you assume, it’s for you to adapt and it’s okay to ask.
Our trans and non-binary inclusive approach
The initiative follows the city’s Trans Needs Assessment and Trans Equality Scrutiny group which identified the trans and non-binary community as a vulnerable group and highlighted the need to remove the stigma and build relationships.
We’re proud of being a diverse city, and the council is committed to equality and inclusion for all people including our trans and non-binary residents.
We are aware of an ongoing interest in our trans and non-binary inclusive approach. We know from a range of evidence that gender is more complicated than is traditionally recognised.
Our equality and inclusion strategy rightly supports those who are experiencing greatest disadvantage. We will work with people to reduce their exclusion and ensure equality of opportunity. We aim to do this in partnership with national and local organisations and communities.