Following the passing of the resolution at our General Assembly in April 2022:

2. FROM THE FOY SOCIETY
   The General Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches:
   a) Affirms with joy that each person’s understanding and statement of their own gender identity is a matter of conscience;
   b) Affirms that transgender rights are human rights
   c) Joins the British Medical Association, the Trades Union Congress and others in civil society in urging the adoption of a self-declaration model for gender recognition by the UK and devolved governments; and
   d) Requests that the Chief Officer lobby for this model in response to UK or devolved government consultations and on any other suitable occasion.

many Unitarians commented that they felt that they would like to be more aware of trans history and related social issues, and a space to discuss questions and learn more. The Northern Unitarian Association and FOY Society provided funding for north east trainer, Ellie Lowther FRSA of Essential Learning Curve Ltd., to provide two online trans awareness sessions on 17th and 19th November 2022, with Louise Reeve at Newcastle Unitarians doing the organising!

40 Unitarians and fellow travellers joined the Thursday evening session, and around 20 joined on the Saturday morning. Over two hours, Ellie (a trans woman and person of faith) led us through the history of trans people in the UK, issues many trans people face, and touched on issues of language and what the correct terminology is. Her down-to-earth and friendly approach helped people ask questions and explore these topics, and contributed to a positive learning environment. If anyone would like to know more, here’s a learning resource from Ellie:

and you can contact her here: Essential Learning Curve Ltd.

Here is another useful resource from Rev. Kate Dean at Rosslyn Chapel: Transgender Day of Remembrance and Being a Trans Ally