What we are doing

Trans Lives is a project about remembering and resisting. As bereaved families (chosen and official), trans+ advocates, lawyers, researchers and journalists we will:

  • Build a community evidence base and national data on the preventable and premature deaths of trans and non-binary people around the UK.

  • Co-create a public memorial sharing the stories of those who have died, to remember our loved ones and raise awareness of issues which contributed to deaths.

  • Support trans+ and bereaved people in work towards justice and change to prevent deaths and enable safer, healthier, happier lives for everyone.

Why?

Everybody deserves to live a safe, healthy and happy life. When people die preventable or premature deaths, we should seek to understand what happened and identify patterns to ensure the same things don’t happen again. 

For trans and non-binary people, a disproportionate number of suicides and premature deaths are taking place. There is awareness and understanding in the community that not enough is being done to support the health and wellbeing of too many trans+ people.

Yet nobody knows exactly how many trans+ people are dying preventable or premature deaths in the UK. There is no national data that gives a clear or accurate picture, and no collective analysis or understanding of the issues arising. 

Like many aspects of trans+ lives, our public understanding of deaths and policy on care is not informed by evidence or the voices of trans+ people or their families and friends. Trans Lives seeks to change that and build not only an evidence base but a memorial by and for our community.

This is a long-term and independent project which is in the development stage. We are currently funded by Paul Hamlyn Foundation. We are currently seeking onward funding. Learn how you can support us.

We have launched in partnership with QueerAF, the UK's only press-regulated, non-profit LGBTQIA+ publisher in the UK, who will be working to ensure people understand the nuance, humanity and details behind the project, through accessible explainers, journalism and platforming the stories of Trans Lives.

Who we are

This is a co-creational project. We are currently looking for people to get involved.

If you would like to contribute, including by joining the board or an advisory group, or just speaking to us, learn more and fill in the form here.

STAFF

  • she/her - Trans Lives Organiser

    Lucy is a community organiser and campaigner, with significant experience in working alongside bereaved families. Her career has focused on working directly with people facing injustice and marginalisation to share their stories and advocate for change.

    She works part time as a Community Organiser and Impact Producer at The Bureau of Investigative Journalism, where she supported the Trans+ Voices project. Lucy also freelances with activists and charities working on campaigning and media, including as an associate delivering training with the Sheila McKechnie Foundation.

    Lucy previously led on media and communications at the charity INQUEST, where she worked for seven years and co-created and presented the INQUEST podcast Unlawful Killing. Lucy is Scottish and lives by the sea in Hastings.

    “I started this project because I have seen first hand the power of bereaved people in informing and creating change. As a queer person, I am devastated and angered by the pattern of preventable deaths of trans+ people in our community. As an organiser, I want to bring people together to build collective resistance through remembrance, evidence building, and advocating.”

BOARD

  • He/him - freelance investigative journalist

    Ludovic has been working in national and independent media since 2014, including as an investigative reporter at the Bureau of Investigative Journalism and gender & identity correspondent at PinkNews. He is the lead investigative journalist at QueerAF and has written about LGBTQIA+ issues for outlets including British Vogue, the Evening Standard and Gay Times. 

    Having spent years reporting on dead trans+ people, Ludo joined the Trans Lives project because he wants there to be fewer of these preventable deaths.

  • She/her - INQUEST caseworker and bereaved family campaigner

    Kate began campaigning on the preventable deaths of trans people after the death of her sister Alice Litman in 2022. 

    Kate is currently working as a caseworker supporting families bereaved by state related deaths at the charity INQUEST. 

  • They/them - community organiser & graphic designer

    Zed is the co-director and co-organiser of Trans Pride Hastings, founded in 2023. They are also the creative director of They Them Studio, working with queer organisations and projects.

    Having struggled to see a version of themself growing up, they are committed to a world where trans people can be visible and can thrive.

ADVISORY GROUPS

We are building three advisory groups to co-create and inform Trans Lives. Get involved.

  • For friends and relatives of trans and non-binary people who have died preventable or premature deaths in the UK. There will be opportunities to get involved in or inform the project, and/or coming together with other families in a supportive environment.

  • For campaigners, advocates, and researchers proactively campaigning for trans rights and safety in the UK. This group will primarily be for trans and non-binary people, and a small number of active and expert allies.

  • For inquest and human rights lawyers or caseworkers involved in legal advocacy relevant to the deaths of trans and non-binary people in the UK. There will be scope to inform the project, as well as building collaboration and sharing information for strategic and well informed legal work.