Trigger Warning: Transphobia
I want to be clear: everything I’m about to say is my own opinion — not the SU’s. This is me.
My name is Olivia. I’m a trans woman. I’ve been living my truth, out and unapologetic, for over three years now. And let me tell you: it saved my life. It wasn’t a choice - it was acceptance. It was finally the ability to be free after years of feeling like I had been locked in the wrong body.
Almost a year ago, I was fortunate enough to be elected to the role of SU Officer. Other than to improve our sporting offer, I didn’t just do it for a title or recognition — I did it because I wanted to make this university better for people like me. People who have to fight just to be seen as human. I played a pivotal role in eliminate deadnaming from university systems. And we did it. That project will always be one of the proudest things I’ve been part of — because I got to help make it easier for trans students to just exist without being constantly reminded of a name that doesn’t belong to them anymore.
Seeing trans students thrive here? That’s been one of the brightest lights in my life.
And now this.
The Supreme Court ruling? It’s disgusting. Malicious. It’s not just a policy — it’s a direct attack on our lives. Strip everything away and it comes down to this: trans people want to exist. That’s it. Just exist. And somehow, that’s considered “too much” for society. We’re not treated like people — we’re treated like a talking point. A “debate.” A threat.
These people making these rulings? They don’t know what it’s like to walk down the street and feel fear for simply being. They don’t know what it’s like to be dehumanized daily — online, in person, in whispers, in headlines. They don’t know what it’s like to have your very identity questioned more than your qualifications, your character, your contributions. They don’t care. All they seem to care about is what’s in your pants. It’s sick. There are no rights gained from rulings like this. Only rights ripped away.
We’re a minority. And they’re using us — using me — as a punching bag for their bigotry and political theatre. It’s always us. Always the same scapegoat.
This ruling made me cry. And I’m not ashamed of that. It broke something in me — left me angry, exhausted, but worst of all- empty. However, I keep plodding along and what keeps me going is this: I am not alone.
When this happened, my friend drove all the way from Kent to Bath just to make sure I was okay. Just to show me I mattered. That I was loved. That I was seen. And that means everything.
There are people — many people — who are glad you're alive. Who are glad I’m alive. Who are proud of us. Who celebrate us. And no law, no policy, no courtroom of these robed strangers will change that.
As for the people celebrating this ruling — who cheer for our pain, who laugh while we cry — I have nothing polite to say to you. You live in ignorance and you feed off hatred. You use fear like a weapon. And to be honest?
Fuck you.
Trans women are women. I need not say anymore.
No judge, no policy, no headline can erase that truth. You can rewrite definitions all you want — but you can’t rewrite who we are. We are here. We are real. And we are not going anywhere.