TransMission PR Podcast: Recent Episodes
Aby Hawker
A podcast for communications professionals, diversity and inclusion experts, HR leads and business owners who want to be better informed about how to engage in a meaningful way with a gender diverse audience. Gain a greater understanding of how best to support trans and non-binary colleagues as well as how to navigate some of the most common communications pitfalls so that you can feel confident in being visibly inclusive.
In this episode of the TransMission PR podcast, Jamie Wareham, founder of Queer AF, joins us to chat about trans representation in the media.
The episode covers:
- What’s driving the increase in trans-focused content
- How such content impacts the community
- What allies need to know when navigating this type of content
- What we can do to make things better
QueerAF was set up in order to revolutionise how LGBTQIA stories are seen, heard and celebrated in the media by putting the editorial decisions in the hands of the community, rather than advertisers. To find out more and to subscribe visit: https://www.wearequeeraf.com
Connect with Jamie on social media:
Insta and Twitter @jamie_wareham
If you need support with a specific campaign and want to make sure you get it right, get in touch: info@transmissionpr.com
As we reach the mid point for Pride 2023, it’s a great time to take stock. We have seen a range of campaigns being trotted out with the best of intentions only to see them reigned back in the minute there’s any backlash. More than ever before the community is asking for more than just flag waving and rainbow wearing from its allies. It is asking for true solidarity and support. So what does that look like for brands and why are some so afraid to commit?
I chat with Marty Davies about their work with Outvertising and the launch of a recent campaign which seeks to embolden and empower brands to stand their ground when it comes to proactively showcasing their allyship.
Marty Davies (they/them) is Joint CEO of Outvertising – the marketing and advertising industry’s LGBTQIA+ advocacy group. They are also co-founder of Trans+ Adland, a grassroots community group of trans, non-binary, gender non-conforming and intersex people across the world of marketing and advertising.
Marty is Campaign Magazine’s first Transgender columnist. With Campaign they write on LGBTQIA+ representation and inclusion with pieces like ‘Is adspend funding an increase in LGBTQIA+ hate crime?’ and ‘Being non-binary in adland.’
Links:
UK falls to 17th place in IGLA rankings
Forbes article
Outvertising campaign
Welcome to Terf island - how anti-trans hate skyrocketed 156% in four years
Hate crime statistics
Workers and consumers favour pro LGBTQ businesses
Outvertising
Follow Marty Davies on Instagram @marjoda, and connect with them on LinkedIn at Marty Davies
Dani St James is Chief Exec of Not a Phase, a leading charity that supports trans adults, owner of fashion brand Zoah, and a prominent influencer and campaigner. In this episode of the TransMission PR podcast, we chat about the recent controversy surrounding Burberry’s latest campaign, which featured a trans model, what happened when the brand experienced a backlash and how its response can inform and educate other brands looking to work with trans talent in a more meaningful way.
Dani’s top tips:
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When using trans talent in a campaign make it celebratory, not tokenistic.
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Trans people have been politicised, if you use us in a campaign expect a backlash and be prepared to take a firm stance in your support, or don’t use us!
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Know what’s coming, look at past examples of similar campaigns and use that to inform your strategy.
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Don’t be afraid to show integrity!
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Use trans talent in everyday campaigns, not just during Pride or other LGBTQ+ focused calendar events.
Check out the This is Not a Phase campaign here: https://notaphase.org and you can find Dani on instagram @danistjames.
If you need support on a specific campaign and want to make sure you get it right, get in touch: info@transmissionpr.com
StoneWall’s 2022 Changemeaker of the year Bobbi Pickard is a woman on a mission. In this episode she joins host, Aby Hawker, to chat about the incredible work she is doing behind the scenes to change the narrative for trans and non binary people at a corporate level and beyond.
Bobbi’s top tips
- People are motivated in business by doing the right thing but business ultimately exists to achieve a return on investment. Businesses wouldn’t be passionate about diversity and inclusion unless it made good business sense.
- Corporates are largely progressive when it comes to trans inclusion.
- Understanding and implementing best practice in diversity and inclusion is key to ensuring all stakeholders are able to work effectively and businesses can get the best out of their people.
- There are huge benefits to be gained by ensuring everyone feels included and able to be out in the workplace and in society including: increased productivity and job satisfaction, better workers and ultimately better societies.
- We must plug the basic knowledge gaps around trans and non-binary people to dispel misinformation, counter the harmful narratives being perpetuated in the media and create a level playing field before real change can happen.
Check out some of these websites to learn more:
Global butterflies - https://globalbutterflies.com
Cool2BTrans - https://cool2btrans.co.uk
Mermaids - https://mermaidsuk.org.uk
Good Vibes Swansea - https://lgbtcymru.org.uk/goodvibes/
Fflag - https://www.fflag.org.uk
If you would like to connect with Bobbi you can find her on the following social media channels:
For more information about Trans in the City visit: https://www.transinthecity.co.uk
When it comes to interacting with trans and non-binary individuals there is a considerable amount of fear around getting it wrong. In this episode, host, Aby Hawker (she/her), is joined by the inimitable Chris King (they/she), Thunder and CEO of Lightning Travel Recruitment. The pair use a recent example to provide guidance on how companies can navigate the situation when they do get it wrong and how showing vulnerability is key to making amends.
Chris’ top tips
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Say you are sorry and mean it!
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Educate yourself and understand what you’ve done wrong
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Be vulnerable admit your limitations
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Pledge to do better and act on that pledge by e.g donating to charity and educating yourself and your team members
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Platform trans talent
Check out these individuals:
Max Siegel - https://uk.linkedin.com/in/maxslack
Marley Conte - https://www.mconte.co.uk/about-me
Ben Pechey - https://www.benpechey.com
Rico Chase - www.instagram.com/RJCHase
If you would like to connect with Chris you can find them on:
For more information about Lightning Travel Recruitment check out: Lightning Travel Recruitment
Aisha Shaibu-Lenoir from Moonlight Experiences, a platform dedicated to the celebration of queer culture, joins the TransMission PR podcast to chat about how travel companies can broaden their appeal to attract a more diverse clientele.
Aisha’s Five Top tips:
- Do your research and act with intention
- Bring in the experts to bridge any knowledge gaps
- Be authentic in your inclusivity
- Be inclusive in your language and in your brand imagery
- Bring the whole team along with you on your journey to inclusivity
Moonlight experiences - https://www.moonlightexperiences.com
Follow Aisha on Instagram
Connect with Aisha on LinkedIn
In this episode of the TransMission PR Podcast host, Aby Hawker, chats with Robin Moira White, who became the UK’s first discrimination barrister to undergo gender reassignment.
Based out of Old Square Chambers, Robin is the co author of A Practical Guide to Transgender Law. She is increasingly involved in trans rights and other aspects of discrimination law associated with trans people.
Most notably Robin was involved in the case of Taylor V Jaguar Land Rover, which was described as setting out the clearest failures in dealing with Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) that she had seen in 25 years of legal practice.
In this episode Robin helps to break down what can be a complex area of law to provide business owners with a better understanding of how to support their trans and non-binary employees.
Robin’s Five Top tips:
- The law that applies within the workplace, in relation to a person’s transition, is determined by the Equalities Act, not the Gender Recognition Act
- No barriers should be put in the way of the person transitioning (e.g dress code or toilets)
- If you get it wrong, apologise move on and get it right next time, people will make mistakes, but they must also try to get it right.
- It is the employers job to educate the employee.
- Having inclusive policies are irrelevant if you don’t share them with your employees
Follow Robin on Twitter
Connect with Robin on LinkedIn
A Practical guide to Transgender Law is available to purchase here
Taylor V Januar Land Rover
Welcome to the TransMission PR podcast. In this introductory episode we provide a brief overview of what to expect.
If you are a business owner or a communications professional who wants to be better informed about how to engage in a meaningful way with a gender diverse audience, as well as learning how to navigate some of the associated communications pitfalls, you have come to the right place. Subscribe for top tips from diversity and inclusion specialists in the fields of law, science, travel and more.
We invite you to join the conversation on trans and non-binary inclusion and awareness, together we can change the narrative.