Features / trans rights
Fighting transphobia using photography
“Transgender people are not a threat, but unfortunately many people seem to view us as one,” says Nicky Ebbage, founder of a new visibility project.
Nicky, known professionally as Nicky Takes Photos, began Bristol Trans Portraits in August 2020 to increase the representation of trans people through art.
After attending Bristol’s protest against transphobia held on College Green in July 2020, the photographer wanted to use their skills to help the trans and non-binary community in the city.
is needed now More than ever
“Throughout lockdown, I’d become increasingly frustrated over the negative treatment of trans people in the media and the uncertainty surrounding the Gender Recognition Act reform,” says Nicky, who themselves is non-binary.
“Seeing the way our community was being treated made me feel quite powerless. But when I attended the protest, there were so many other passionate trans people around that I felt really inspired to try and do something, and I started thinking about how I could use my skills to help the community.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/CEtHhGvjh1m/
In recent years, trans people – individuals who identify as the gender other than the one assigned to them at birth – have been receiving increasingly negative media attention and, as a result, are experiencing ever more hatred and violence. A reformation of the Gender Recognition Act was due to take place in 2020, but the Sunday Times has reported that this will not go ahead.
Nicky, who works part-time in two music venues and a theatre, as well as being a photographer, offers a monthly session for free and promotes each photographed person throughout the following month. They do this so that all people in the trans community – who are as a group more likely to be affected by poverty and unemployment – can access the empowering experience of having their photo taken.
Maddy Coward was the first person to be featured in the new project. Photo: Nicky Ebbage
“I started this project because I believe visibility and representation put us in a better position to advocate for our rights, educate others and fight transphobia,” says the 27-year-old, who lives in Bedminster.
“We’re just like you; we have families and friends, careers and personalities. We just want to live our lives authentically.”
Main photo: Nicky Ebbage
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