{"id":362,"date":"2021-02-12T10:39:49","date_gmt":"2021-02-12T10:39:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/kaleidoscope\/?p=362"},"modified":"2021-02-14T15:31:57","modified_gmt":"2021-02-14T15:31:57","slug":"lgbt-history-month-12-28-stephen-whittle","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/kaleidoscope\/2021\/02\/12\/lgbt-history-month-12-28-stephen-whittle\/","title":{"rendered":"LGBT+ History Month 12\/28: Stephen Whittle"},"content":{"rendered":"

[DISCLAIMER]<\/strong> This post touches on sensitive topics including self-harm and suicide and you should not proceed should these subjects cause distress.<\/p>\n

As we approach the weekend of the second week that is LGBTQ+ History month, I hope that this series continues to engage you in the rich lives of so many people who have paved the way for LGBTQ+ rights.\u00a0 With that being said, we have another inductee into the Queeroes records.<\/p>\n

Today\u2019s hero for LGBTQ+ equality is a man who has been through it all.\u00a0 Hardship, discrimination, abuse. \u00a0Trans people across Europe, Britain included, would not have many of the rights this man fought for today.\u00a0 Therefore, I am thrilled to bring forth the story of educator, advocate, campaigner and OBE recipient, Stephen Whittle.<\/p>\n

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Stephen Thomas Whittle was born in the spring of 1955 and would grow up in working class Manchester.\u00a0 At his birth, he was misgendered as female.\u00a0 He would describe his childhood as \u201cOK\u201d but could not recall moments of happiness.\u00a0 Following extensive treatment for rickets, Whittle would attend the Havely Hay Primary school and later, under a scholarship, Withington Girls' School.\u00a0 It was during his school years that he would begin to question his gender identity.<\/p>\n

Whittle recalls the feelings of his gender confusion at the time quite vividly.\u00a0 On sports days he would become distraught for being placed in the girls racing team because, on the inside, he felt he was \u201crunning the wrong race\u201d and that there was \u201cno way it was going to change\u201d.<\/p>\n

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Whittle, far left, as a child<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

For many years, with no one to talk to and no understanding of what was going on, he would feel shame and confusion, like many trans and non-binary people, for who he was, both in his sexual identity and his desires to wear more masculine clothing.<\/p>\n

From a young age, Whittle would work his way through medical books at school, seeking answers to his \u2018problem\u2019.\u00a0 He would later come across transgender information while at the doctors.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was a pretty unhappy child.\u00a0 It was not a dreadful child, but it was never a happy childhood.\u00a0 There\u2019s a sort of line somewhere between that where seeing everybody else being happy and knowing you were always unhappy, is quite depressing as a kid.\u201d \u2013 Whittle, on his experience as a child<\/strong><\/h3>\n

 <\/p>\n

In 1975, following an incredibly difficult experience, he would begin hormone replacement therapy.\u00a0 But in order to obtain such treatment, Whittle would need to evidence that he was \u2018serious\u2019 and \u2018committed\u2019 to become a man by living his life as such for at least a year.\u00a0 But with no one knowing who he truly was, this would become one of Whittle\u2019s hardest battles yet.<\/p>\n

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Following observations from his boss, who had realised Whittle was not quite himself, he opened up about his predicament.\u00a0 At the time, Whittle was 20 and working at a university, making this an incredibly brave moment in his life.\u00a0 A moment that could end his career, ostracise him from society and lead to a life unknown.\u00a0 Thankfully, and quite pleasantly, his manager supported him with this without hesitation and told him this would not be a problem.<\/p>\n

Following a fortnight\u2019s leave, Whittle would return to work and be greeted as Stephen.\u00a0 Of course, there were a few hiccups, but he continued his masculinise affirmation mission to be himself.\u00a0 A year later, at 21, he would revisit his therapist for the hormone therapy he so justly deserved.<\/p>\n

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Whittle aged 20<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Sadly, upon returning to his psychiatrist, and having met all the requirements to be considered for hormone therapy, Whittle case was flippantly disregarded.\u00a0 The therapist considered his slender, feminine physique irrefutable evidence that Whittle was not committed and therefore not ready for such a monumental procedure.<\/p>\n

Whittle was devastated and broken.\u00a0 His determination to achieve his one and only life goal seemed for naught.\u00a0 The day had meant everything to him but instead it took everything from him.\u00a0 All that was left were thoughts of suicide. *<\/p>\n

Thankfully, after receiving a fax about the outcome, Whittle\u2019s family doctor was waiting for him at home and would prescribe him the hormones he needed.\u00a0 This incredibly brave act itself would lead to a 2-year medical ban for her; but the risk of his life was all that she cared for. **<\/p>\n

Whittle was highly active in the trans community (before and after transitioning) and would support many organisations including the Manchester TV\/TS group, the UKs first trans support group, in 1975 and SHAFT (Self Help Association for Transsexuals) in 1979.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/strong><\/p>\n

Ten years later he founded the UK\u2019s FTM Network and later the Press for Change in 1992, a legal advocacy group with the aim to change the press\u2019s views on trans people and, ultimately, the law.\u00a0 Amidst all this Whittle also held many roles as part of The Gender Trust.<\/p>\n

After fellow trans man, Mark Rees, would fight his way to the ECJ in 1986 to obtain legal recognition as a man, but lost.\u00a0 Knowing that a lack of legal knowledge was the issue, Whittle would go on to further education to change just that.<\/p>\n

Academically, Whittle received a BA in Geography in African and Asian Studies (1981).\u00a0 Whittle would then complete an LLB in Law (1990) and an MA in Crime, Deviance and Social Policy.\u00a0 Finally, in 1995, he would complete a PhD in Transexuals and the Law at Manchester Metropolitan University.\u00a0 The following year, Whittle would take trans rights to the ECJ.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/strong><\/p>\n

In the case of P v S and Cornwall County Council<\/em><\/strong><\/a>, following the redundancy of a Senior Education Administrator, it was discovered that her dismissal was due to the fact she was trans.\u00a0 The case was won, and it would obtain protection against trans discrimination in the workplace across Europe, under the Equality Treatment Directive of 1976.<\/p>\n

Following this, Whittle and Press for Change would again seek justice at the ECJ in K.B. vs NHS Pensions Agency<\/em><\/strong><\/a> whereby a nurse wishes to marry her trans husband as a means to secure his right to her pension upon her death.\u00a0 It was another win for justice and trans rights saw progression leading the way.<\/p>\n

I could go on and on with these happy victories, but for the full details (or short summaries) check out The Law tab at Press for Change for some truly remarkable achievements for Whittle and the team.<\/p>\n

Continuing the legal and educational campaign he started in the 90s, Whittle has remained the Vice-President for Press for Change during its 29-year history.\u00a0 The organisation continues to campaign, advocate, educate and lobby for trans rights across the world.\u00a0 Their work has impacted society on a political and social level and in the late 90s would go on to support the development of Coronation Street\u2019s Hayley Cropper, the first trans character in a British soap opera.\u00a0 The impact of this character itself would even go on to influence marriage legislation within the UK.<\/p>\n

Despite being diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis nearly 20 years ago, he continues to teach at Manchester Metropolitan University and is involved with many protests and activist campaigns around equality and inclusion and even Brexit.<\/p>\n

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In addition to the aforementioned work with Press for Change, Whittle\u2019s varied career includes Transgender Europe and more than 6-years with the World Professional Association for Transgender Health. \u00a0Whittle is also Professor of Equalities Law at Manchester Metropolitan University and has been with the institution since 1993, with regular consultation on transgender law reform.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

In recognition of his work, Whittle is the recipient of the National Transgender Lifetime Achievement Award, the Stonewall Award from the American Bar Association, Frank Kameny Life Time Achievement Award, The Virginia Prince Lifetime Achievement Award and the Human Rights Award for his dedicated work for the advancement of trans rights.\u00a0 He is also a Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences.<\/p>\n

In terms of personal victories, in 2005, following the passing of the Gender Recognition act the year before, Whittle and his partner since 1979, Sarah, would achieve another monumental moment together and adopt their children, legally confirming Stephen as their father.\u00a0 This relieved his fears that his four children could one day be orphans if his wife were to die.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/strong><\/p>\n

Thank you for your hard work Stephen.\u00a0 Thank you for remaining vigilant and being the pillar of strength for those who could not fight this fight.\u00a0 Your work and your legacy has changed the lives of so many and the trans community will forevermore be indebted to you.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/strong><\/p>\n

You can keep up to date with the work of Stephen Whittle via his Twitter<\/strong><\/a>.\u00a0 You can also learn more about him and his work through these intimate interviews I discovered while researching this piece via the Audio section of Press for Change<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n