Hi, I’m Avery, your Trans* rep for this year! This is my second year in the role, and I am in my final year at UCLan doing a degree in Psychology.
Being your elected Trans* rep means I have the privilege of campaigning for the benefit of our incredible and diverse community. Last year we started work on an award finalist campaign to ban conversion therapy practices nationally and a University wide campaign to ensure students at UCLan had a means to use their preferred names. Work on these two major projects continues into this year and I can’t wait to share this journey with you!
Campaigns by your Trans* Rep
Preferred/Chosen Name Campaign
Her first campaign is local to the University, where she is pushing UCLan to recognise and use the preferred name of their students. Currently, UCLan systems such as class lists, e-mails, ID cards and university equipment use a student's legal name, as opposed to their preferred name. Preferred names, or chosen names, are those commonly used by individuals as a way to represent themselves and their identity. For many people, a preferred name isn’t simply a preference, it is the only name they use and choose to recognise, making it essential to their identity. Avery is campaigning for the University to make a change and allow students to have their chosen identity and name fully recognised across the board.
The campaign will be initially posted as a Students’ Union “Big Idea”, where once it has enough votes, can be discussed at Students’ Council and pushed towards the University.
Email your tutor here using our template.
Ban on Conversion Therapy Campaign
The second campaign that she has set up is running nationally and aims to ensure the protection of Transgender people under a ban of conversion therapies. Conversion therapy tries to suppress and influence an individual's gender identity through a series of practices such as, talking therapy, medication, the threat of homelessness and in extreme circumstances, physical violence and food deprivation - all which are unethical and harmful.
The main aim of conversion therapy is to “cure the gay” and strip away a person’s identity and true self. The National LGBT Survey (2018) found that 13% of the trans community had been offered or undergone conversion therapy. It’s difficult to determine the current number of people who have been subject to these therapies, however many said they were offered and pressured in both medical and home settings.
The UK Government claimed they would ban conversion therapy across the board, but had excluded transgender therapy in their ban. Without a successful and inclusive ban put in place, the trans community will continue to be oppressed and subjected to physical and psychological harm.
If you are worried about yourself or others, or are a victim of conversion therapy and need support, you can contact the National Conversation Therapy Hotline.
Phone: 0800 130 335
Email: CThelp@galop.org.uk
Opening Times: Monday - Friday, 10:00 - 16:00