They tried to silence us. But we're still here.

This blog post is a collaboration with It Gets Better USA - you can see their original post here.

They were discussing trans people. They were making life-altering decisions about trans people. And yet somehow, they decided trans people didn’t need to be part of the conversation.

That’s what just happened in the UK. On April 15, the UK Supreme Court ruled that under the 2010 Equality Act, the word “woman” refers strictly to biological women—excluding trans women, even those with a Gender Recognition Certificate (GRC), from certain legal protections. In short: a trans woman with a GRC is not automatically considered a “woman” under the law.

And yet not one trans voice was invited to speak in court. Not one trans-led organization was allowed to offer input. Even two trans legal experts—one a former High Court judge—were turned away without explanation.

A case about trans people. And no trans people in the room.

If you’re trans or nonbinary—especially if you’re feeling the weight of this moment—you deserve to hear this clearly: you are not invisible. You are not a debate. You are real. You are powerful. And you are not alone.

What This Means—And What It Doesn’t

Let’s be clear: this ruling hurts. It’s exhausting to see powerful institutions debate your existence while refusing to hear your voice. It’s infuriating. And yes, it’s frightening.

But let’s also be clear about what this ruling does not do.

It doesn’t erase who you are.

It doesn’t define your identity.

It doesn’t determine your worth.

No court, no government, no law can decide your gender or your humanity. Only you can do that.

You are still you. You are still real. You are still loved, worthy, and full of possibility.

Taking Care of Yourself in Heavy Moments

It’s okay to step away from the headlines for a while. It’s okay to feel what you’re feeling. You don’t have to push through or pretend everything is fine.

Here are a few ways to take care of yourself right now:

• Turn off the news for a bit. Your peace matters.

• Reach out to someone who makes you feel safe.

• Find joy wherever you can—tiny victories, gender euphoria, that one meme that always makes you laugh.

• Tap into communities that affirm you. You are never as alone as you think.

Resources worth bookmarking:

• It Gets Better UK

• Switchboard LGBT+ Helpline

• MindOut – LGBTQ+ Mental Health

• Gendered Intelligence

To Every Trans and Nonbinary Young Person Reading This

This ruling isn’t the end of the story. It’s not even the whole story.

We’ve seen it—again and again. Change happens not because someone in power says it can, but because people like you refuse to give up. In every piece of art. In every shared story. In every community created in the face of exclusion.

It gets better because of you.

“To all trans and nonbinary youth, know this: your existence is not up for debate. You are not defined by the courts, the headlines, or the hurtful words of others. You define yourself, and you are more powerful than you may realise. Every step you take, every moment of joy, and every expression of your truth is a testament to your strength and resilience. We see you, we stand with you, and we will never stop fighting for a world where you are seen, heard, and celebrated.” – Dr Alex Rhys, CEO of It Gets Better UK

Stay Connected

For more stories of strength and solidarity, follow @ItGetsBetterUK. And remember: no matter what anyone else says.

We’re still here. And we’re not going anywhere.