Liverpool Hope launches guide to the city for trans students

Liverpool Hope University has launched a new guide for trans and non-binary students – with the authors proudly promising that ‘hate will not win’.

The book Pink, White & Blue Liverpool guide has been published by the Liverpool Hope Students’ Union.

Spearheaded by Jack Evans, part-time officer for Trans and Non-binary students, the idea is to signpost university-goers to all of the ‘inclusive, nurturing’ establishments and organisations across Liverpool.

It includes everything from non-gendered barbers and ‘safe space’ eateries, to bars and clubs with a diverse crowd, and even sports teams such as the LGBT+ ‘Mersey Marauders’ football club.

The guide also lists all the available support for trans individuals, whether that’s in the form of counselling and sexual health advice, or hormone therapy and referral to a Gender Identity Clinic.

An introduction to the guide reveals: “It’s very daunting moving to university, and this can be even scarier when you are a Trans student coming into a new city.

“We are providing a guide of fun and safe spaces across the city of Liverpool and additional resources for students who identify as Trans, Non-binary or something else in and out of the gender spectrum.

“Trans students are welcomed at Hope – you have our full support and are a valuable member of our student body.

“We will always aim to foster an inclusive, nurturing community at the University, Student Union and within the greater community of the city of Liverpool. We take pride in our Trans students and community leaders!”

Project leader Jack Evans, a Philosophy, Ethics & Religion student, this year celebrated his first International Trans Day of Visibility as an openly visible trans individual. He wrote about his experiences in a moving blog.

Jack says:

“When I came up with the idea for the guide, it was originally just to make sure that any transgender students coming into the city had an easy-to-read, compact guide of all of the safe spaces in Liverpool. However, the attacks in July did fuel my motivation to create the guidebook, and I made sure I put my best effort into getting it together so that no student felt worried or scared about coming to Hope. I had some conversations with prospective students around the time of the attacks, who did express concern about the safety of Liverpool. But I hope this project gives any new students the reassurance that we will not let hate crime win, and will continue to protect members of the LGBTQ+ community at Hope.”