'This is the biggest we have had' - Dozens turn out for Trans Pride in Southampton

The streets of Southampton were filled as Trans Pride marched through the city on Saturday.

Activists took to the streets in the demonstration to raise awareness of the transgender rights movement.

The event saw dozens of young and old meet at Oxford Street and march through the Bargate, up above Bar Street and London Road before arriving at Edmund Kell Unitarian Church.

The group walked while chanting for equality for the trans community in a protest held in partnership with the National Education Union.

Trans Pride marching through Southampton (Image: NQ, Jose Ramos)

Mabel Wellman, organiser and director at Trans Pride Southampton said: “This is the biggest we have had yet, we will be marching all through the city for a good hour.

“It’s very important for Trans pride to have a day because we are the most marginalised community in the LGBT+, so we really do need to show our strength, especially considering what is going on in the government now.

"Right now, it’s just a game of political football, they’re kicking us around to try to win votes for support and against as well and we can only hope that things quiet down after the election."

When asked about the impact of how some politicians have spoken of the trans community, she said: “I think it had caused a lot of frustration and a lot of anger. It’s very upsetting for some people.

"It was only about four months ago we were doing a vigil for Briann Ghey when she died last year and the fact they are talking about us as if we’re objects and not even human is just disgusting.”

Beccy Young, 57 (Image: NQ, Jose Ramos)

The event came to an end at Edmund Kell Unitarian Church where there were activities including live music, poetry, and a disco.

Beccy Young, 57, said it was her first time attending the event.

She added: “There are a lot of people here which is really nice.

“I think it’s a way of getting together, I haven’t met other trans people before, so it is a good way to meet other people as well as to show that these people exist.”

Graham Childs, South East LGBT+ representative for the NEU said: “I live in Southampton and I attended trans pride last year and I felt it was a great cause, something that is more of a protest pride rather than the glamourous ones like in London and we are also LGBT+ and educators.

Graham Childs, South East LGBT+ representative for the NEU (Image: NQ, Jose Ramos)

“We have a conference every year and this year we are hosting it here in Southampton so we took time out of our conference to come march here with the trans pride group.

“This very much feels like a grassroots event and right now it’s needed so much when you have leaders of the key political parties waging culture wars on the trans community just to win votes from a few voters and to appease party donors which is really sad.”