Trans woman student abused and shoved out of toilets at Leeds University
A trans woman student at Leeds University was verbally abused and pushed out of the Student Union’s female toilets by two girls.
According to reports, Alexis, a Microbiology student who was transitioning from male to female, was shouted at and shoved in the chest by two girls, during a night called Fruity.
She said: “I’m very angry at those girls. I know better than anyone that I don’t look like a girl yet. Misgendering me is something I expect, but grabbing my breasts and shoving me is completely unacceptable.
“It’s wrong for a natural-born girl to insult a trans girl, especially one who prefers to dress more masculine, simply because she likes to. We’re doing the best we can – you’re lucky to have been born that way, and we can dress however we please, just like you”, Alexis added.
Security was called to the incident, which took place on Saturday evening, reports the Leeds Student.
A Leeds University Students’ Union spokesperson told this paper: “As a Union we support the right of transgender students to use the toilets in which they feel most comfortable. A member of our security team explained the situation to the two females and they said that they understood.”
Alexis, a second year student, did not wish to take any further action but added: “The security staff were excellent, and I really appreciate what they did”.
The University’s LGBT society had two trans welfare officers, and commented on the incident, saying: “The welfare of our members is the number one priority of our society and we’ve been working closely with the Union to raise awareness of the added struggles that Trans* people face.”
In 2010, a forum for the Students’ Union passed a motion to introduce gender-neutral toilets.
The Union’s Equality and Diversity officer, Charlie Hopper, said “Since the idea to create a gender neutral toilet passed in 2010 the Union has made progress in ensuring support for Trans* students, including Trans* awareness training for staff.”
