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Trans Pride South West announces 2020 programme
The organisers of Trans Pride South West (TPSW) have announced the festival’s 2020 events.
TPSW, which is the largest Pride for transgender and gender non-conforming people in the South West, has gone fully digital for its fifth year.
2020’s festival, which will take place from Monday, November 16 through to Sunday, November 22, will consist of more than a dozen virtual events, including meetups, conversations and workshops.
is needed now More than ever
“As organisers of Trans Pride South West, we were hoping, much like everyone else, that the Covid-19 pandemic would have subsided by now so we could put on our usual schedule of events,” says Spencer Blackwell, one of the TPSW organisers.
“However, given the risks of Covid-19, we’ve decided to host our events virtually this year, to make sure that no one is at risk.”
Spencer (left) is pleased to announce that TPSW will go ahead this year. Photo: Trans Pride South West
He adds: “We’re really happy to still be going ahead with events this year, albeit in a slightly different way, as Trans Pride South West turns five this year!
“It will be a really great week filled with events to bring the trans and non-binary people of Bristol together; it’s more important than ever that we look after each other and come together (virtually) as a community.”
The week will kick off with a series of interviews and videos originally presented as part of Bristol Pride. ‘Trans and…’ features transgender people talking about their lives and experiences, and what everyone can do to support trans rights.
Other events held during the week include an improv session for beginners, two drink and draw sessions for anyone feeling creative, and a pub quiz.
There will also be a winter style workshop from G(end)er Swap, an organisation helping transgender and gender non-conforming people feel more comfortable in their clothes.
Trans Pride South West is a celebration of gender diversity. Photo: Nicky Ebbage
A wellbeing session will be an opportunity for trans people to learn about resilience, relaxations, and LGBTQ+ inclusion in sport. Vine Counselling and the Independent Mental Health Network’s LGBTQ+ steering group will join in the conversations.
With 16 events, TPSW have ensured that there will be something for every trans and gender non-conforming person. Geek & Trans will discuss gender identity and geek idenity with writer Cheryl Morgan, comic creator Harry-Ann Bentley, costume designer Liz Murphy and cosplayer and con-enthusiast Grayson Semmens.
A Poetry Night will showcase spoken word and prose from trans and non-binary people and Brizzle Boyz, one of the South West’s leading drag nights, will bring a digital cabaret show using footage from previous shows. Drag stars including Mariana Trench, Roddy Jodphurs, Crayola, Mr Wesley Dykes and Oliver Assets will grace the virtual stage.
Oliver Assets and Roddy Jodphurs will perform online. Photo: Diego Maeso
Three meetups are also planned, so that the community can come together, albeit virtually.
This will be a chance for feminine, masculine and non-binary people to engage with others in their transgender communities.
TPSW will also host a virtual march, community day and vigil.
On Friday, November 20, Transgender Day of Remembrance, a vigil will be streamed on YouTube, remembering all the trans people worldwide who have lost their lives in the past year.
The virtual Pride march and community day on Saturday, November 21 will be celebration of trans lives in the face of continued adversity.
2019 saw Trans Pride South West’s first march through the city. Photo: Nicky Ebbage
From 1pm, the virtual ‘march’, put together from video and photo submissions, will be played on YouTube, and the community day will also be virtual, with videos and messages from local and national LGBTQ+ organisations that support Bristol’s trans community.
The community day will end with an online afterparty starting at 9pm. DJ Justine will stream a live DJ set full of disco and funk tunes.
With a whole week of celebrating the diversity of transgender, non-binary, intersex and gender non-confirming individuals, join in for a chance to be part of openness and interaction with this community at a time when life is particularly challenging.
See all events at www.transpridesw.webs.com/upcoming-events
Main photo: Nicky Ebbage
Read more: Mural shines a light on the shocking state of healthcare for transgender people
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