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A new festival for the trans community
“It’s a weekend when trans people don’t have to feel alone, don’t have to feel like the odd one out,” says Zouk, explaining the premise of a new festival for the trans community taking place in June 2020.
A weekend festival taking place just outside Bristol focusing on anti-oppression politics and organised by and for trans, non-binary and intersex people, Transcend Festival is thought to be the first of its kind in the UK.
Funds having been raised for the festival through sock puppet wrestling events for queer people
As well as music, Transcend will host services that are traditionally difficult for trans people to access, such as makeup, massage and modelling. There will also be sports, workshops and art classes for attendees.
is needed now More than ever
“We went to a political festival together,” says Zouk, who is accompanied by their partner Zander. “It didn’t include trans enough, so we came away with the idea to create our own festival for trans, non-binary and intersex people that’s intersectional, accessible and inclusive.”
Since the idea was formed over a year ago, a group of around 20 volunteers who identify as volunteers who identify as trans, non-binary and intersex have come together to organise the festival.
“We’re creating this bubble outside of heteronormativity to recuperate, form bonds and participate in things that are normally hard to access,” says Zouk. “And we want to prioritise the needs of people who are marginalised within the trans community, like people of colour or disabled people.”
The festival will be an inclusive space for all trans people
Some of the ways that the organisers are ensuring the event is accessible is through a sliding scale of ticket prices, paid-for spaces, travel bursaries and having a user-friendly venue – as well as being easy for wheelchair users to access, guide dogs are welcome and despite the capacity being 500-people, only 300 people will be at the festival to reduce sensory overload.
There will be 200 guests, 50 performers and 50 crew, with applications opening in the new year for workshop hosts and artists and tickets going on sale.
“Political, anarchist spaces are still often don’t feel safe for trans people and spaces that do feel safe for trans people focus on celebration,” says Zouk. “This is completely different. We want to nourish everyone involved, including the organisers.
“We want to make 300 people feel stronger.”
Find out more and support the festival at www.transcendfestivaluk.wordpress.com
All photos thanks to Zouk and Zander
Read more: Return of annual pride event ‘by trans people for trans people’
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