As the New Year draws near, we’re looking back at the first year of UoM’s first trans+ network, and what a year it’s been. Following our foundation, as described in our first StaffNet Article, we were quickly thrown into the harmful political battles brought about by the Supreme Court Ruling. We entered into listening sessions and formed a focused panel discussion heard, and positively responded to by the Executive Leadership Team. We were able to share this experience with all on the University’s Pride Pages, here.

By then we had formalised the network, with leads, Academic Sponsors, and an active Advocacy Team. From this we began participating in wider community activities, such as the LGBTQ+ Healthcare Half Day Conference, which brought together medical students from across the country.

Meetings with the EDI Directorate allowed us to develop. We were supported in producing our Goals and Three-Year Strategy, as well as  being given an administrator and space on the EDI blog pages. We kicked off the first of these blogs with an article on Genderfluid Awareness . These were quickly followed by further articles on Intersex Awareness and Trans Parents. We have also shared these with the wider public via our Instagram page.

Following our panels and listening sessions earlier in the year, we held a post-EHRC workshop, with over 50% network attendance, where we discussed what might be done to make the University of Manchester a more inclusive place for trans+ staff. We are awaiting a meeting with the EDI directorate and Executive Leadership Team to discuss the results, and are happy to note that out Executive Sponsor, Patrick Hackett, has been very keen to see that this will be fitted into his schedule.

Meanwhile, we continued to engage with the wider university and members of the public. TIN-Bee Leads were sponsored to represent the university at the Pride in Leadership conference, where we met with leaders and from across UK.

During Trans Awareness Week the network held a live panel open to all staff with representatives across the trans+ spectrum discussing their lived experiences. On Trans Day of Remembrance we gathered to walk with other attendees from across BeeProud to the Sackville Gardens event, and were there to check on everyone’s wellbeing following the memorial.

Through all of this we have met with our members, every fortnight without fail, since early March. We gather for informal lunches that have allowed many of us to find support and friendship with others sharing the trans+ experience. If you too are staff on the trans+spectrum and would like to join us, just let us know by emailing TIN-Bee@manchester.ac.uk.

Our plans for 2026 are to formalise our peer support network so that those who are able and willing to support others can be matched to those in need of support. We will kick off 2026 with a get-together at the Winter Social and will be able to fully engage with LGBT History Month in February now that our network has grown.

Together we have built something real and supportive, and we are excited for what comes next. Here’s to an even stronger, more connected year ahead.

TIN-Bee Staff

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