‘It can be informative, educative – and perhaps even inspiring – to see how other institutions work’

For some time now our Society has been considering issues around transgender and non-binary identity. Caroline Barrow looks at some other organisations in the same boat

For some time now our Society has been considering issues around transgender and non-binary identity | Photo: iStock / marrio31.

According to the Government Equalities Office, there are approximately 200,000 to 500,000 transgender people living in the UK – a considerable number. Inevitably, Quakers are involved. Stonewall’s 2018 Trans Report showed that two in five trans people had experienced hate crime in the previous year, which emphasises the need to create a safe and loving environment. In 2017, North East Thames Area Meeting endorsed a statement on trans inclusion from Wanstead Meeting, and submitted it to Meeting for Sufferings for consideration. Wanstead made clear its desire to become ‘a safe place where each person can come as their own true self and find a spiritual home’ and expressed hope that, as a Society, ‘We can all grow together in our understanding of gender identity.’

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