Member-only story
Working class trans lives
When we talk about trans issues in the round often a more middle-class version of gender and civility emerges, where the politics tend to get more ethereal and hypothetical. Yet, much of this conversation leaves out the realities for many working-class trans folk who do not have access to media platforms, university education or other forums for their voices to be heard. Paris Lees’ recent books have centred on her working-class Nottinghamshire upbringing, April Ashley talked extensively about her poverty growing up, and many other trans women have historically rooted their activism in left-wing politics drawn from working-class struggle. For all the theoretical conversations, the lived experiences on the ground reflect a grittier reality than any theory would hope.
Me as a middle-class university educated trans woman would seemingly have little in common with working-class struggles, yet both my parents came from working class backgrounds, my mum especially drawing on that as we grew up to teach us life lessons. Personally, I see little distinction between class barriers, for me they are artificial and arbitrary. The struggles of poverty and deprivation are very real and tangible for me when the world goes to shit. Not having a car or TV, with the most basic of food, having to get the bus to school and never going abroad on holiday. My folks did not have a lot of spare cash when I was growing up…
