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2024 in Review: Advocacy Work and Community Connections
2024 was another very busy year for me and a very turbulent time for many of us worldwide. In the UK political violence towards transgender people, disabled people and other marginalised groups has continued to grow. The ban on puberty blockers for all transgender young people is the most recent attempt to bring us down.…
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Open Letter Against Puberty Blocker Ban
The team at AIM for the Rainbow have written an open letter airing our concerns about the puberty blocker ban. The open letter at a glance: The Autistic community widely and with great indignation condemns the recent ban on puberty blockers for transgender youth and demands its immediate reversal. We call on the government to…
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Improving Cancer Care for Trans+ Individuals
Trans Aware Cancer Care is concluding its initial phase, focusing on the experiences of trans+ individuals with cancer services. Participants created expressive squares to form a large trans flag, which will be showcased in hospitals. The project emphasizes the need for inclusivity, sensitivity, and normalizing pronoun sharing in healthcare practices to enhance trans+ patient experiences.
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Autistic and living with cancer: What you need to know
This piece was written with Dr.Char Goodwin who is the lead researcher for the Autistic Experiences of Breast Cancer research project, a three-year project funded by Breast Cancer Now. They are exploring the cumulative effects of autism-specific barriers to healthcare in relation to cancer care, directly from Autistic people themselves. Katie Munday (me!) has been…
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Trans and Autistic: Applying for PhD
Applying for a PhD as an autistic transgender person involves navigating ableism, transphobia, paperwork challenges, and the search for affirming supervisors. Rejection can be emotionally taxing, and universities should improve application processes. Autistic trans applicants should utilize available resources, advocate for themselves, and have backup plans. Selecting understanding supervisors is crucial.
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Not all of me
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UK cervical screening: What you need to know
Today, I went for a routine cervical screening. In the UK people aged 25-49 receive invitations every 3 years and people aged 50-64 receive invitations every 5 years. I was invited via letter and popped into my surgery to get it booked in. I wanted to share my experience today for people who may have not…
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All body types belong in sport
As a wheelchair basketball coach, I am a strong proponent of the idea that all body types and bodyminds can engage in sports at all levels and should be given the means to do this safely and meaningfully. Physical exercise and movement is a human right. It belongs to all humans. The question should not…
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The “virtues” of Rainbow Capitalism
The “pink pound” has generally been defined as the spending power of homosexual men and women (and now more generally LGBTQIA+ community members). It is suggested that gay men especially have a greater disposable income and more likely to adopt new products than the average consumer. Some companies use advertising and product placement to appeal…
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Government Consultation on Relationship, Sex and Health Education in UK schools
The UK Government is consulting on new guidance for Relationship, Sex and Health Education in schools, proposing a ban on the teaching of gender identity to prevent questioning of gender. Schools are urged to teach about protected characteristics, including gender reassignment, but not gender identity. The deadline for responses is 11th July. Shadow Education Secretary…