A summary of all the latest news and information.
Andi
Chrysalis is following government guidelines with regards to the Covid 19 (coronavirus) pandemic.
Connections Matter – An info-graphic explaining how we are are approaching Covid-19.
admin
In response to the Covid-19 (coronavirus) pandemic as advised by the WHO this week, and acting on advice from our hosts Bournemouth University, Chrysalis will be postponing our third conference #GenderIdentityMatters2020 until September. (more…)
admin
Everyone has the right to feel safe and included in our local community and not feel like they constantly risk being the victim of hate crimes. Join us and #FlyTheTransFlag to demonstrate you’re an ally of the trans community. (more…)
Andi
Today’s blog is brought to you by the power of programming, the will of our Social Media Officer Callum, the literary convention of asking rhetorical questions and me sticking to the tasks laid out in my diary and writing a blog in advance because I’m on annual leave today.
Monday 26th October is Intersex Awareness Day, a day relevant to Chrysalis as a charity supporting trans, non-binary and questioning people although Chrysalis and the support we offer is not necessarily important, or relevant, to those who are intersex.
Here at Chrysalis we surf the wave of understanding about gender, and gender identity.
Maximillian
I was asked rather last minute to cover Asexual Awareness Week for this blog, so here’s my process of becoming a more outspoken ally (by doing this blog) of a group I’ve only been a casual ally of before (I’ve never had a problem with anyone ace, have a basic understanding of what it means to be ace, would stand up for anyone I thought was being unfairly treated because of it but have never gone out of my way to fly their flag). This works out well, it turns out, as this week I was planning to do a
Andi
Are you human? That’s what the website asked me as I signed in this morning and it’s got me thinking. How do I know I’m human, what does being human mean to me and in these times of strangeness how do I keep my sense of human connectedness, how do you keep yours?
The second Tuesday of every month is Intrusion, it has been for years, the longest running Goth night in the country outside of London and a great evening. Worth driving from Southampton to Oxford for, a chance to get dressed up and to see good friends. During lockdown
Andi
Today I changed the flag in my background and I hope to encourage you to do so too.
This week Chrysalis launches our allies visibility campaign where we encourage allies everywhere to Fly the Trans Flag during Trans Awareness Week 13th – 19th November. Everyone needs allies, everyone needs friends, someone they can trust and turn to. Chrysalis has long been that ally to trans people and in all our engagement with professionals, indeed with people everywhere, we meet more allies. We meet the person who when their friend comes out to them says “cool, how can I support you?”, we meet
Maximillian
Most conversations that I have about mental health are focussed on the negatives – poor mental health, diagnoses, medication, doctors and so forth – but today I want to look at the positives.
Poor mental health outcomes for trans+ people are largely around deficits – not enough acceptance (especially from family) and limited access to medical aspects of transition, but it doesn’t have to be this way. Trans+ people with accepting friends, family, partners and workplaces and enough access to medical support where necessary (for transition needs, not mental ill health) can have just as good mental health as everyone else.
That’s
Andi
“Josie has been a constant volunteer throughout lockdown. Nothing was too much trouble when asked, especially when she was asked to help support and promote the Tour de Trans. Little did we know how she was going to throw herself into this project and sporting her rainbow trousers she followed the ride all around the country. We just want her to know how special she is to us here at Chrysalis and thank her for the many many hours of time she put into this project.” – Sheila, Volunteer Coordinator
When Paeton first came forward
Andi
Morning all, it’s a fine crisp Autumn day as we enter the final few months of 2020. I’m not writing a synopsis of the year but I am aware that we are living in historic times. This year we have been forced to think about mortality, society and difference in a way that would not even have been possible in the days before the internet. We have been immersed in world events, been able to educate ourselves about viral science and social science. We have turned our lives upside down and yet also tried to carry on as normal.
Th 1st
Andi
Andi
It’s #BiWeek2020, time to recognise and celebrate all the bisexual people out there with an international day of visibility on the 23rd September. Sexuality and gender identity are completely separate yet our shared experiences under the rainbow flag mean that it’s important to us here at Chrysalis to celebrate all gained freedoms, respect and understanding.
Trans people come in all shapes and sizes, all sexualities and none. For some of us finding out who we like can also be part of finding out our own identity, our own authenticity.
Bisexual means attracted to more than one gender,
Maximillian
We often get asked questions about how to be an ally. Chances are if you’re reading this, you’re either trans+ or you’re an ally – or want to be (so, an ally).
One of the ways in which you can take some of the pressure of your trans+ siblings is by promoting that trans+ people aren’t weird and don’t need pity.
Promote support for all, and remind your cis siblings that asking someone outright is neither helpful or necessary – the best thing they can do is to recognise everyone as their own person.
What we know is that being accepted is one
