A gallery wall of linear pictures hugs a light gray wall gazing at book sleeves protruding from Chinua Achebe and Rayda Jacobs books lining Activist Siv Greyson’s book collection on the opposite end of the room.
“For me, I’m understanding trans as describing your relationship to being gendered at birth,” Greyson says explaining what trans is.
Fighting for inclusive policies and representation, the trans community is turning to crowdfunding to beat the 25-year waiting list for gender-affirming surgery in government.
With a long waiting list, a disheartening reality, Groote Schuur Hospital only conducts 4 operations a year, according to Dr Kevin Adams.
A daunting undertaking for those unable to afford private health services.
Ticking boxes
Born in Gqeberha, Eastern Cape, Greyson is determined to build a safe house for the trans community, with a focus on creating safe spaces for trans kids.
“Because I grew up in the time that I did, I just thought that I was a tomboy because that’s what everybody was saying. I knew I wasn’t a girl, I knew I was performing.”
“I was just ticking the boxes. I was like this is how you need to be as a girl, you decided I’m a girl. I’m confused as to how we got here but it’s fine, I’ll wear the dress.” Greyson adds.
Citing transitioning challenges and the confusion of growing up as a trans kid, Greyson hopes creating safe spaces for trans kids will ease their journey.
“Whenever I think about that kid, I think about how lonely they were, they felt so lost, they didn’t know who they could talk to.”
Representation
Activist Cher Petersen says, “To be trans is to find that your identity doesn’t align with your assigned sex at birth.”
Detailing the importance of representation in media, Petersen says social media is a catalyst for the dissemination of information about the community. “The only access to information was through television. Where were the trans people and queer community then?”
Responding to the representation of trans people in various sectors, Activist Dzoe Ahmad argued that trans people have always existed.
Ahmed works for advocacy group Gender Dynamix.
“I don’t think we are amongst the first generation of trans people, because trans people and nonconforming people have been there throughout history, however, documentation hasn’t been. Now living in an area of technology where information is fast spread we are raised with awareness around trans issues.”
“Understanding the word trans is about how one feels, how one expresses themselves through gender identity,” Ahmad noted.
Lived experiences of transgender people: Episode one
This series has been produced by Reginald Witbooi from the SABC, Sellwane Khalane and Saif Arbee who are freelance journalists.
