Flying the flags for Trans Day of Visibility

We’ll be flying the Trans flags from Hove and Brighton town halls in honour of International Trans Day of Visibility (TDoV) on Tuesday 31 March.

Trans Day of Visibility is marked annually to celebrate the bravery, resilience, joy and accomplishments of our Trans, Nonbinary and Intersex (TNBI) friends, family and neighbours.

It was first established in 2010 in response to the overwhelming majority of media stories about transgender people being focused on violence.

Its aim is to empower trans people to live authentically, show support for the transgender community as allies, celebrate people from all backgrounds and of all abilities and at all stages of their transitioning journeys, while simultaneously acknowledging that due to discrimination, not every trans person can or wants to be visible.

Trans visibility in Brighton & Hove

As a council we stand alongside our TNBI communities, affirming their right to live authentically and be respected.

Transgender Day of Visibility serves as a vital moment to honour and elevate the voices, experiences, and contributions of TNBI individuals who have profoundly enriched our community fabric.

Brighton & Hove's cultural vibrancy and progressive spirit have been fundamentally shaped by TNBI community members, whose influence resonates throughout our city's artistic landscape, advocacy movements, and social innovation.

Historically, Brighton & Hove has been a sanctuary where TNBI individuals could find acceptance and build community when many other spaces remained inaccessible.

This legacy continues today, with TNBI-led organisations, businesses, and cultural initiatives creating spaces of belonging that benefit all residents and visitors, including the oldest and largest Trans Pride event.

Sending a clear message

Council Leader Bella Sankey said: “Being able to be seen, exactly as you are, by your loved ones, by your workplace, by society, and most importantly, by yourself, is the most important building stone of a happy and successful life.

“As our transgender, nonbinary and gender non-conforming communities and their loved ones continue to face hurdles and erasure by society, Trans Day of Visibility is a time to honour and celebrate their courage and joy of living openly and authentically.

“Today we are shining a light on our TNBI communities to send out a clear message: We see you, support you, value you and stand beside you.”

Our trans and nonbinary inclusive approach

We’re proud of being a diverse city and the council’s commitment to equality and inclusion for all people, including our trans and nonbinary residents. Brighton & Hove stands in full solidarity with the trans community, in our city and beyond, in its struggle for safety and equality in all aspects of their lives.

We are aware of an ongoing interest in our trans and nonbinary inclusive approach. We know from a range of evidence that gender is more complicated than is traditionally recognised.

Our equality and inclusion strategy rightly supports those who are experiencing greatest disadvantage. We will work together to advance equality and inclusion for trans, nonbinary & LGBTQ+ communities. We aim to do this in partnership with national and local organisations and communities.

Reporting hate crime and anti-social behaviour

Everyone in Brighton & Hove has a right to feel safe.

We are committed to supporting communities harmed by hate crime.

We encourage anyone who has experienced anti-social behaviour or hate incidents, harassment or distress due to their identity, to report it.

You can report hate incidents or ASB to Sussex Police on 101 if it’s not an emergency. In an emergency, always call 999.

Council tenants, council leaseholders and tenants of leaseholders who've experienced hate incidents or ASB should report it to Housing Customer Services. Housing association tenants need to report incidents to their landlord.

Private rented sector tenants and owner occupiers can report hate incidents and ASB to the Community Safety Team using our online anti-social behaviour and hate incident reporting form or by contacting our Community Safety team by emailing communitysafety.casework@brighton-hove.gov.uk or calling 01273 292735.

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