International Transgender Day of Visibility is a time to celebrate transgender people and recognise the courage, contributions and achievements of trans individuals. It is also an opportunity to raise awareness of the discrimination that many still face.
At Valley CiDS, inclusion is one of our core values. We are committed to being a welcoming and inclusive organisation for our staff, volunteers and the children, young people and families we support. We want everyone to feel seen, heard and valued, and able to be their authentic selves.
At Blend Youth Project, this commitment is part of everyday practice. Creating safe, open and supportive spaces allows young people to express who they are with confidence.
One simple but important way we demonstrate this is by respecting people’s chosen names and pronouns. You will see pronouns included in staff email signatures and on identity badges. Using the correct pronouns shows respect, affirms identity and helps to create an environment where everyone feels safe and included.
The impact of this approach can be seen in the experiences of the young people we support.
Max, who attended the Blend Youth Project and later volunteered to give back, shared:
“Blend has created an open space where you can be honest and 100% included.”
We believe in a world where everyone can live authentically and without fear of discrimination, and we are committed to playing our part in making that a reality. You can read more about Max’s journey here.