Transvox

We are so disappointed to see the recent guidance from the NHS around the treatment of trans+ people. Not only does this seem to go against the idea of personalised care, but we are actually being excluded from services we are paying for. Whilst the NHS leadership may have carefully considered the issues, the decision ranks of moral cowardice and a lack of substantive common sense – rather more of...

This week Gillian meets Kestrel Gaian and has a wide-ranging conversation around creativity, writing poetry and books as well as bringing stories and narratives to life where Queerness is the least interesting thing about people. They also discuss the process of choosing names! Kestral Gaian is an author, poet, playwright, activist, and professional overthinker. Their work spans fiction, poetry, t...

Gillian welcomes Debbie Cannon to the Transvox podcast, discussing her background as a Geordie who moved around the UK, served in the Army, worked 21 years in insurance, won “Insurance Leader of the Year” in 2017, and later moved into community and charity work. Debbie leads Trans Without Abuse, a by-and-for domestic abuse support service for trans and non-binary adults across Cheshire under Chesh...

In this Transvox episode - it’s listeners’ questions, Gillian and Jenny discuss a question from (another) Jenny in Manchester about whether musical tastes change during transition and whether music helps with anxiety and the transition process. Jenny says her tastes are eclectic and not fundamentally changed, but certain songs resonated differently during transition and she has become more interes...

On Transvox, Gillian interviews CJ Webb, a neurodivergent, disabled, non-binary person (sometimes describing their gender as gender fluid) and an NHS talking-therapy therapist who is also building a private practice called Quiet Reflections. CJ explains that their drive to become a therapist came from wanting to understand people and their own place in the world, a perspective shaped by later rece...

In an ‘emergency’ solo Transvox episode, Gillian explains the uncertainty created by the UK Supreme Court ruling that “sex” in the Equality Act 2010 means biological sex and by the EHRC statutory Code of Practice laid in Parliament on 21 May 2026 and effective 5 August 2026, noting it is guidance (not primary legislation or criminal law) and may be reshaped through case law and future revisions. T...

In this episode, Gillian interviews London-based electronic musician and recording artist Dyvr, who uses dance floors as spaces for processing grief, shame, and abandonment, with a focus on making trans+ people feel seen and accepted. Dyvr discusses growing up in a multicultural part of London as mixed race (Pakistani mother, Scottish-Irish/Midlands father), the complexities of belonging, racism a...

Gillian and Jenny discuss how Pride began after Stonewall as political protest, later became a celebratory, commercialised community event during periods of progress (e.g., repeal of Section 28, equal marriage), and is now facing funding pressures and backlash that may push it back toward protest, especially amid anti-trans legislation. They compare big-city Prides with smaller-town events, noting...

Gillian interviews Chloe Kelly (not that one!) a trans woman who realised she was transgender at 45 after using FaceApp in October 2023, began hormones in January 2024, and went full-time in August 2024 after encouragement from her boss. Chloe describes early signs like cross-dressing, wishing to wake up as a girl, and lifelong fascination with trans topics, plus the shock of NHS waitlists (Wales)...

Gillian and Jenny discuss politics and what a likely Andy Burnham premiership could mean for trans people. They review Burnham’s history in Labour, note his “normal guy” public persona, and describe his LGBT+ record: marching against Section 28, voting for repeal, civil partnerships, same-sex marriage, IVF rights, opposing discrimination and conversion therapy, and previously backing Gender Recogn...

This week, Gillian interviews Ash Sekhon, a historian and gender-fluid trans author living in the Netherlands after time in the US, Scotland, and Canada. They explain leaving adjunct university teaching in the US after Trump-era DEI cuts and now writing full time while supported by savings and investments, and choosing the Netherlands for its tolerant laws and culture. They discuss Ash’s Victorian...

Gillian and Jenny discuss what trans people can learn from World Cup footballers about surviving scrutiny, online abuse, and long-term pressure, using sport as a metaphor. They explore “microclimates” and how adapting to different social contexts can support safety and wellbeing while still valuing authenticity, including how transition often involves constant social and presentation adjustments....

Hosts Jenny and Gillian discuss the UK Equality and Human Rights Commission’s finalised guidance following a Supreme Court judgment defining sex in the Equality Act as biological sex at birth, and reactions to earlier draft guidance that suggested excluding trans people from toilets and other single-sex spaces. They note some “most insane” proposals were removed, an early day motion has nearly 100...

This week, Gillian interviews Melissa D from Loving Me, who discusses her background as a late-transitioning trans woman from the West Midlands, her career shift from accounts clerk to social worker, and work in substance misuse and mental health before transitioning in her 40s. Melissa explains Loving Me’s mission and services as the first UK domestic abuse service solely by and for trans and non...

Gillian interviews returning guest Abi, a PR consultant focused on trans inclusion, and Jacqui, a physio, meditation teacher, writer, and mother of a young trans woman, about their work with NION Women/Not In Our Name. They were part of the team that formed the collective to counter media and political narratives that pit cisgender women against trans women, particularly after the Supreme Court ru...

Gillian and Jenny begin Transvox season two by catching up on major trans-related UK stories from recent months. They discuss the Women’s Institute and Girl Guides planning to exclude trans girls, describing these moves as cruel fallout from a Supreme Court judgment being used to justify wider exclusion, including in amateur sport. They revisit puberty blockers and the Cass Report, linking restric...

In this episode of Transvox, we’re joined by Abigail Parkes from Beyond Reflections and Emma LeatherBarrow from the Wessex Cancer Alliance. They discuss innovations and challenges in cancer care for the trans community, including the importance of early diagnosis, and the barriers trans people face in accessing adequate healthcare. Key initiatives like the 'Trans Aware Cancer Care' project and the...

In this episode of Transvox, Jenny and Gillian delve into the complexities of self-medication among trans+ individuals in the UK. They explore the reasons behind the rising trend of hormone self-administration due to long NHS waiting lists and the high costs of private healthcare. The conversation highlights the risks associated with unsupervised hormone treatment and emphasises the importance of...

In this episode, Joanne Lockwood shares her extensive experiences in leadership wwith Gillian, spanning from her early days in the military to her current roles in various organisations. The discussion delves into her philosophy on leadership, emphasissng the importance of continuous momentum, imperfect plans, and adaptive leadership. Joanne also explores the evolving landscape of Diversity, Equit...

In this episode of Transvox, hosts Gillian and Jenny Harvey discuss how the UK TV show 'The Traitors' provides insightful lessons applicable to trans people and therapy patients. Jenny, donned in her Saturday football-watching attire (a green cloak...!) describes her fascination with the show's dynamics, revealing how it mirrors real-world anxiety and the emotional toll of concealing one’s true id...

In this episode of Transvox, hosts Gillian and Jenny discuss a variety of topics ranging from ongoing cultural and political developments to personal anecdotes and hopes for the future. They touch on the symbolic relevance of items like the unicorn and the 'Blojhaj' shark in the trans community. A considerable portion of the conversation focuses on the potential impact of the Levy Review in improv...

Hosts Jenny Harvey and Gillian Russell discuss the key events and themes impacting the trans+ community in 2025. They reflect on the political climate, noting the ongoing challenges despite the change in government. Key topics include the impact of the Supreme Court ruling on trans rights, legal battles regarding workplace and healthcare discrimination, and the broader sociopolitical context affec...

This week, Gillian and Jenny have decided in the midst of all the gloom of recent news (and the weather) to have a more ‘light-hearted’ episode. Subjects include: A listener question about ‘coming out’ to their family on Xmas Day! Christmas telly How Christmas can be stressful being in the midst of people that may be challenged by your transness How Christmas can be wonderful where you can celebra...

In this week's episode of Transvox, Jenny and Gillian dive deep into recent legal battles impacting the trans community, focusing on two major judgments regarding trans women’s rights to access facilities. They discuss the influence of various funding sources like JK Rowling and Elon Musk on these cases. The episode also covers the controversial ban on trans girls in the Girl Guides and changes in...

In this engaging conversation, Joseph Harwood discusses his recent experiences and projects in the fashion and beauty industries. He reflects on a project called 'Trans as Human,' which aimed at showcasing the diverse humanity within the trans community. The discussion also delves into the current challenges faced by trans individuals in the fashion and beauty industries, including issues of repre...