Transvox

Gillian Russell
  • 1.0 (1)
  • Personal Journals

Join Jenny and Gillian - both at different places in their transition process to hear advice guidance, interviews and opinion on all things trans+. Not forgetting other gender diverse people, and those that are questioning, allies, friends and family. They have different expertise and thoughts to share because of their transition paths as well as other differences. However, they find a way to discuss topics and show ways to disagree in a productive way, whilst giving you the tools to navigate the world. They are also joined by guests to share perspectives, advice and support as and when needed. You can submit questions and we would be delighted if you could add a 5-star review as it helps with visibility and our positive mood..!

  1. Jun 21

    Transvox - Ash Sekhon on Gothic Historical Fiction, Rumour Culture, and Trans History

    This week, Gillian interviews Ash Sekhon, a historian and gender-fluid trans author living in the Netherlands after time in the US, Scotland, and Canada. They explain leaving adjunct university teaching in the US after Trump-era DEI cuts and now writing full time while supported by savings and investments, and choosing the Netherlands for its tolerant laws and culture. They discuss Ash’s Victorian-tinged Gothic novella Assumptions, which opens with a man waking in a London morgue and centres on how rumours and respectability culture can destroy lives, paralleling past panic about gay people with modern misinformation about trans people. Ash describes research into 1830s–50s Edinburgh and late-1800s pre–Great War Europe, references Britain’s 1885 law used against Oscar Wilde, outlines the rivalry between Henry and manipulative Dr. Dick Falstaff, and notes ongoing work on a prequel and sequel. The paperback is available via Waterstones and Amazon; contact is via assumptionsbook.wordpress.com. 00:00 Meet Ash 00:39 Historian and Identity 01:14 Research and Writing Life 02:22 Why the Netherlands 03:00 Why Write Assumptions 04:38 Plot and Themes 05:35 Rumor as Weapon 07:38 History Echoes Today 11:09 Victorian Evidence Hunt 12:46 Characters and Rivalry 16:06 Sequel and Prequel Plans 17:46 Where to Buy and Connect 18:45 ADHD and the Writing Process 20:02 Wrap Up and Thanks You can contact us at gillian@transvox.co.uk and find out more at transvox.co.uk

    22 min

  2. Jun 14

    Transvox - World Cup Lessons for Trans Resilience

    Gillian and Jenny discuss what trans people can learn from World Cup footballers about surviving scrutiny, online abuse, and long-term pressure, using sport as a metaphor. They explore “microclimates” and how adapting to different social contexts can support safety and wellbeing while still valuing authenticity, including how transition often involves constant social and presentation adjustments. They emphasise building a “team” or “posse” through friends, volunteering, charities, arts, and online spaces, while noting the harms of being bullied off social media and the loss of inclusive groups. They compare the responsibility felt by visible trans people to athletes carrying national expectations, and debate balancing personal truth with political impact. They also argue for focusing more on physical health, exercise, and community activities alongside mental health support. They end with World Cup predictions, with Jenny backing France. 00:00 Bin Bag Banter 00:35 Sport as Resilience Metaphor 02:51 Microclimates and Authenticity 04:04 Transition and Social Adaptation 11:12 Finding Your Team 12:22 Social Media and Safe Spaces 19:08 Resilience Veterans Quiz 21:30 Visible Trans Pressure 23:29 More Than Being Trans 25:34 Microclimates and Authenticity 26:13 Fake Authentic Politics 29:48 Purpose and Resilience 30:35 Physical Health Matters 36:29 Bullied Back Shadows 38:34 World Cup Predictions 40:58 Final Sign Off You can contact us at gillian@transvox.co.uk and find out more at transvox.co.uk

    43 min

  3. Jun 7

    Transvox - EHRC Guidance Discussion

    Hosts Jenny and Gillian discuss the UK Equality and Human Rights Commission’s finalised guidance following a Supreme Court judgment defining sex in the Equality Act as biological sex at birth, and reactions to earlier draft guidance that suggested excluding trans people from toilets and other single-sex spaces. They note some “most insane” proposals were removed, an early day motion has nearly 100 MP signatures, and UNISON is campaigning against implementation, while businesses say the guidance is unworkable. The conversation focuses on practical impacts on single-sex services—especially NHS patient accommodation—alongside the guidance’s case-by-case proportionality tests, limits on policing toilets, and how courts must “take the code into account.” They discuss enforcement difficulties, risks of complaints and tribunal precedent, personal harm and “catastrophising,” and conclude it’s regressive but not the end of the world, with legal and political pushback likely. 00:00 Introduction 01:15 Background: Supreme Court & EHRC Guidance 05:10 NHS & Single-Sex Services 15:45 Legal Enforcement & Burden of Proof 20:39 Personal Impact & Mental Health 21:40 Looking Forward You can contact us at gillian@transvox.co.uk and find out more at transvox.co.uk

    31 min

  4. May 30

    Melissa D of Loving Me on Domestic Abuse Support for Trans and Non-Binary People

    This week, Gillian interviews Melissa D from Loving Me, who discusses her background as a late-transitioning trans woman from the West Midlands, her career shift from accounts clerk to social worker, and work in substance misuse and mental health before transitioning in her 40s. Melissa explains Loving Me’s mission and services as the first UK domestic abuse service solely by and for trans and non-binary people, founded in 2022 after trans people were failed by existing domestic abuse systems, including inappropriate accommodation placements. She describes how domestic abuse affects trans communities, highlighting identity-based and familial abuse, younger referral patterns, and barriers to safe accommodation, worsened by recent legal uncertainty. Loving Me runs the UK’s first trans and non-binary domestic abuse refuge, provides sector training and advocacy, is recruiting an 18–25 worker, and can be contacted via www.lovingme.uk, help@lovingme.uk, she also signposts Galop and other regional services. 00:00 Welcome 01:24 Melissa’s Transition Story 02:13 Late Transition Challenges 04:42 What Loving Me Does 07:15 Why Trans+ people Need DA Support 09:59 Barriers and Safe Housing 16:01 Refuge Model and Training 18:14 How to Get Help 21:57 Catchment and Confidentiality 23:20 Socials and Other Services 25:23 Final Thanks and Goodbye You can contact us at gillian@transvox.co.uk and find out more at transvox.co.uk #transgenderhealth, #trans, #transgender,

    27 min

  5. May 17

    Transvox and NION Women: Not In Our Name and the Trans-Inclusive Feminist Voice

    Gillian interviews returning guest Abi, a PR consultant focused on trans inclusion, and Jacqui, a physio, meditation teacher, writer, and mother of a young trans woman, about their work with NION Women/Not In Our Name. They were part of the team that formed the collective to counter media and political narratives that pit cisgender women against trans women, particularly after the Supreme Court ruling and subsequent EHRC draft code, arguing trans people are scapegoated to distract from male violence against women and girls. They created an open letter/mission statement calling on non-trans women to sign and share it, reaching 100,000 signatures on the ruling’s anniversary with support including the Good Law Project and high-profile allies. Their short-term goal is to use the signatures to demand balanced media coverage and influence decision-makers; they promote the letter at notinourname.org.uk and on social as @nionwomen. 00:00 Welcome 00:26 Meet Jacqui and Abi 01:45 Why NION Women Formed 03:00 Catalyst Supreme Court Fallout 05:05 The Open Letter Explained 06:57 Signature Surge and Allies 08:23 Media Narratives and Real Risks 11:14 Personal Turning Point 14:10 Follow the Money Strategy 15:43 Short Term Goals and Balance 17:13 Responding with Kindness 19:57 Future Plans Beyond Social 22:19 Allies and Women Voices 24:12 How to Sign and Follow 25:37 Final Thanks and Wrap You can contact us at gillian@transvox.co.uk and find out more at transvox.co.uk

    27 min

  6. May 10

    Transvox Season Two Kickoff: Exclusion Policies, NHS Care, and Community Pushback

    Gillian and Jenny begin Transvox season two by catching up on major trans-related UK stories from recent months. They discuss the Women’s Institute and Girl Guides planning to exclude trans girls, describing these moves as cruel fallout from a Supreme Court judgment being used to justify wider exclusion, including in amateur sport. They revisit puberty blockers and the Cass Report, linking restrictions on blockers and hormones for 16–17-year-olds to increased distress and criticising “both sides” framing. They note political and public allies (including Olly Alexander and Green Party support), Labour’s exclusion of trans women from its women’s conference, and NHS moves to end shared care with private providers. They cover Marks & Spencer reaffirming trans inclusion, backlash to Stonewall chair Kezia Dugdale’s comments on a noted anti-trans person, the accidental fire at Pink Punters, and a court overturning a fine against the University of Sussex. 00:00 Season Two Kickoff 01:23 WI Branches Closing 02:44 Guides and Kids Rights 05:13 Swimming and Inclusion 08:29 Cricket and Exclusion 10:05 Cass and Blockers Fallout 13:31 Allies and Party Politics 15:58 Rowling and Media Power 19:55 NHS Shared Care Crackdown 21:54 M&S Pushes Back 23:19 Shopping After Transition 24:39 Stonewall Chair Controversy 26:06 Rowling and Charity Accountability 28:02 Pink Punters Fire Fallout 28:47 Why Venues Matter 30:54 Milton Keynes Trans History 33:11 Sussex Fine Overturned 35:20 EHRC Guidance Confusion 38:05 Movement Regroups 39:52 Reform Farage Media Blindspot 42:06 Wrap Up and Next Time You can contact us at gillian@transvox.co.uk and find out more at transvox.co.uk #transgenderhealth, #trans, #transgender,

    44 min

  7. Feb 14

    Innovative Initiatives for Trans-Inclusive Cancer Care with Abigail Parkes and Emma LeatherBarrow

    In this episode of Transvox, we’re joined by Abigail Parkes from Beyond Reflections and Emma LeatherBarrow from the Wessex Cancer Alliance. They discuss innovations and challenges in cancer care for the trans community, including the importance of early diagnosis, and the barriers trans people face in accessing adequate healthcare. Key initiatives like the 'Trans Aware Cancer Care' project and the introduction of a healthcare navigator service are highlighted as steps towards providing equitable and effective care. The episode emphasises the need for personalised support, education for healthcare providers, and collaborative efforts to reduce health disparities. 00:00 Introductions 00:58 Meet Abigail Parkes and Beyond Reflections 01:23 Emma LeatherBarrow and Wessex Cancer Alliance 02:24 The Importance of Early Cancer Diagnosis 02:53 Challenges Faced by Trans People in Cancer Care 05:01 Trans Aware Cancer Care Project 05:59 Introducing the Healthcare Navigator Initiative 08:38 How the Healthcare Navigator Service Works 10:28 Training and Support for Healthcare Navigators 12:27 Accessing the Healthcare Navigator Service 14:10 Collaborations and Future Initiatives 16:06 Final Thoughts and Conclusion You can contact us at gillian@transvox.co.uk and find out more at transvox.co.uk

    19 min

  8. Feb 8

    Transvox - Self-Medication and Systemic Challenges

    In this episode of Transvox, Jenny and Gillian delve into the complexities of self-medication among trans+ individuals in the UK. They explore the reasons behind the rising trend of hormone self-administration due to long NHS waiting lists and the high costs of private healthcare. The conversation highlights the risks associated with unsupervised hormone treatment and emphasises the importance of seeking reliable sources and community support. The hosts stress the need for better healthcare access and systemic change to ensure safer and more effective gender-affirming care. 00:00 Introduction 00:14 Winter Olympics Obsession 00:37 Empathy and American Skiers 01:31 Enhanced Games and Steroids 02:28 DIY Hormone Therapy 03:41 Challenges in Trans Healthcare 05:49 Self-Medication Risks and Realities 08:26 Importance of Proper Medical Guidance 10:15 Navigating NHS and Private Healthcare 17:06 Support Networks and Mental Health 30:45 Conclusion and Final Thoughts You can contact us at gillian@transvox.co.uk and find out more at transvox.co.uk

    32 min
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Ratings & Reviews

About

Join Jenny and Gillian - both at different places in their transition process to hear advice guidance, interviews and opinion on all things trans+. Not forgetting other gender diverse people, and those that are questioning, allies, friends and family. They have different expertise and thoughts to share because of their transition paths as well as other differences. However, they find a way to discuss topics and show ways to disagree in a productive way, whilst giving you the tools to navigate the world. They are also joined by guests to share perspectives, advice and support as and when needed. You can submit questions and we would be delighted if you could add a 5-star review as it helps with visibility and our positive mood..!

Information

  • Creator
    Gillian Russell
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    157
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Gillian Russell
  • Show Website
    Transvox

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