With Incoming Transmissions, we wanted to change the narrative around trans and non-binary youth, and to highlight the stories that they want to tell—to amplify their voices in a way that uplifts them. We asked the young people who attend the youth groups of the National Trans Youth Network to bring us stories they want told: tales of the barriers that they’ve faced as trans and non-binary, but crucially also of how those barriers can be overcome with the right help and support. These stories then became the six parts of Incoming Transmissions, voiced by the young trans and non-binary people of NTYN.

Art Activist was a creative project that promoted activism, using art and performance as a means of raising awareness of a particular issue and as a vehicle to evoke change.

Art Activist was a bridge between two significant events in the LGBT+ calendar:

• LGBT+ History Month – an annual celebration held in February in the UK that recognises the struggles and triumphs of LGBT+ people throughout history and encourages people to be inclusive of LGBT+ people in all communities.
• International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT) – an event held on 17th May each year as this was the date the World Health Organisation declassified same-gender attraction as a mental illness in 1990.

Using the theme set by LGBT+ History Month, young people created artwork to be showcased at an event to mark IDAHOBIT. The artwork included visual art (painting, sculpture, drawing, photography and film-making), creative writing (poetry, fiction and non-fiction) and performance (drama, acting, singing, dancing and spoken word).

Our annual Being Proud Awards are a chance for us to acknowledge and recognise the hard work and achievements of people making a positive difference to the lives of LGBT+ young people.

We proudly present the winners of the Being Proud Awards 2019: 

• The Jaye Bloomfield LGBT+ Ally of the Year – Rebecca James (Ash Green School, Bedworth)
• LGBT+ Young Person of the Year – Liv Erin (Halton)
• The Jan Bridget LGBT+ Youth Worker of the Year – Helen Azar (Nottingham)
• LGBT+ Youth Group of the Year – Inside Out (Rochdale)

Proud Futures is a programme tailored to the needs of LGBT+ young people aged 18-25 who are not currently in employment, education or training. The programme is designed to support young LGBT+ people into meaningful work, education or volunteer opportunities. It has been designed for those who are unsure about their next steps in life and who might feel nervous about taking part. Throughout, all young people involved are supported by an experienced youth worker, and Proud Futures Allies – people who have shared their experiences of the workplace and/or have provided work placements for young people.

When: 10:30am – 1:30pm every Thursday from 9th June to the 15th September

Where: The Proud Place, Sidney Street, Manchester

Who: LGBT+ young people that are struggling to find meaningful employment, education or training and professionals over 25 who are interested in supporting LGBT+ young people out of unemployment.

How to join: Contact proudfutures@theproudtrust.org

Creative Café is an accessible LGBT+ youth group focused on all types of art and creativity. We have sessions from meme making to lino-printing and photography to poetry, all of which are decided by those who attend the group! So, whether you’re a skilled sculptor or can’t tell a paintbrush from a hairbrush, Creative Café is for you!

When: First and third Thursdays of every month, 2-3:30pm

Where: Online/at our LGBT+ Centre

Who: Young LGBT+ people aged 13-25

How to join: Contact youthgroups@theproudtrust.org