Happy LGBTQ+ History Month! We hope you have had a great start to 2023! Here’s what we were up to in January - 

We received £4,753 from 127 financial contributors, and we spent £2,448. Our current balance is £16,020. We are seeing a sharp increase in emergency grant requests, and are so grateful for the increased donations to help us meet needs in our community!

Thank you to Consortium (@LGBTConsortium) for awarding us £900! We were honoured to receive funds alongside LGBT Unity Glasgow and @Here_NI LGBT Consortium and @ComicRelief are now partially funding our surgery packs! 

We have moved our Cardiff meet-ups on the third Monday of each month to Dyddiau Du (@DyddiauDu)! This is a free sober social space for trans, intersex, and nonbinary people and is funded by Not a Phase! We had a large, wonderful meet-up there in the middle of the month and can’t wait to welcome more people next time! Dyddiau Du is a community library in Cardiff run by a small group of queer and neurodivergent people - go check them out! 

Thank you to those who raised funds for us in January! That includes the amazing @ItsNotNotAlex for running a raffle for us! Alice Evans (@isjustforalice) and @SWGMC for donating nearly £1,400 following their 5K with @PrideCymru and @MotiCardiff

If you’re looking for something fun to do this month, Cardiff Trans Singers (@TransSingers) are performing with @SongbirdsCdf and @SWGMC on the 25th of February! Proceeds will be donated to Trans Aid Cymru! Find tickets and information here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/cardiff-trans-singers-and-friends-a-celebration-tickets-516087019167 

We followed the developments with the Scottish Gender Recognition Reform Bill and stand in solidarity with our trans siblings in Scotland. Allyship is more than waving flags and attending Pride; it includes voting and taking risks to protect us when it matters most. We’re furious with Westminster for blocking the bill. We know this has also been a nightmare for trans people’s mental health, and @LGBTQYRMU provided a non-exhaustive list of resources to support us through all of this: https://twitter.com/LGBTQymru/status/1616148162812444676?s=20&t=oo0nuHf3crc5KnPm0uH4KQ 

We were pleased to join Mandeep Rupra (@MRupra), @lawsruk, and @WinVisibleWomen for the @CitizensAdvice gender equity panel on 25th January! Where @itsshash talked about the gendered impact of the Cost of Living crisis. We’ve seen first-hand that the crisis has had a huge impact on trans, intersex, and nonbinary people - and especially on our trans, intersex, and nonbinary siblings of colour. One example was seen at @cardiffuni through their recent changes to the bursary for students from lower income households. Thankfully, they reversed their decision after students and staff fought back, but more change is needed: https://twitter.com/PresidentCSU/status/1619003250950418436?s=20&t=oo0nuHf3crc5KnPm0uH4KQ 

Here’s what’s coming up this month: 

@DyddiaDu are hosting ‘Neighbourhood,’ their first community exhibition which includes predominantly queer and/or neurodivergent artists. Find out more here: https://twitter.com/DyddiauDu/status/1618987809821581312?s=20&t=oo0nuHf3crc5KnPm0uH4KQ 

Want to join us in person? We have our monthly in-person meetup for TIN people in Cardiff happening this Saturday from 1-4PM. Message us for the location or meet us at Dyddiau Du on 20th February from 1-4PM! If you are in the Newport area, join us on the 3rd Saturday of each month from 1-4PM! Contact us for the location. 

Our Big Splash event is back again! This event is funded in collaboration with Not a Phase and offers an exclusively trans space for us to swim and use a gym. If you’re interested and want to snag some tickets (free, or donation based!) shoot us a message!

Interested in joining Eisteddfod yr Urdd (@EisteddfodUrdd)? LGBTQ+ Welsh speakers and learners under age 25 are welcome to join at 6PM on 13th February. See more here: https://twitter.com/EisteddfodUrdd/status/1618322948674183230?s=20&t=oo0nuHf3crc5KnPm0uH4KQ 

Finally, please join us in celebrating LGBTQ+ History Month at @Museum_Cardiff for Hwyrnos: Queer on 17th February. We’ll have a big party to celebrate Cardiff’s LGBTQ community! Find more information here: museum.wales/Hwyrnos 

Here are some reminders about resources:

The Queer Emporium have started a Queer Parents’ Morning! Watch their social media (@thequeeremporiu) for updates. 

Need help talking to your GP about accessing trans related healthcare? Check out Trans Informed here: https://www.transinformed.co.uk/ 

As a reminder, our surgery pack applications are closed until we can catch up. We will announce when we re-open!