We have received this request from an MSc student at the LSE. Are you able to help?
"My name is Cody Byrne and I am currently studying my MSc in Social and Cultural Psychology at London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE).
For one of my assignments, I'm looking to work with three older (+45 y/o) trans* people to interview them about their attitudes towards elements of the 'T' community. The interview will take, at max, an hour at a time that suits them and I can travel to them. The coffee is on me!
The study, including the questions that will be asked, have all been guaranteed ethical approval by LSE and appropriate lectures. Items that could be potentially distressing is kept to an absolute minimum and, of course, confidentiality is of utmost importance. They will have the opportunity to withdraw participation at any point during the interview or afterwards.
If you feel that that there are any individuals who may be interested in participating, feel free to pass on my contact information. My email is 'C.Byrne5@lse.ac.uk' and my phone number is '07411443393'. I greatly appreciate any assistance in this."
I can see the likely benefits to my ego in talking about myself to a young and impressionable researcher. But what does she define as trans people? Do we know? Xx
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Hi Dorothy, why not ask and find out? Do not give any information until you are completely satisfied, but if we do not help researchers discover the truth about us people will be left with the rubbish they find in the media. xx
Perhaps she means anyone who is a member of the Beaumont. Why don’t you ask?
Hi both. Yes, I’ll email her a few quesions.
There’s a wider point. People on here have said it would be “interesting” to know more about the proportion of cd’s, transitioning, transexual, full time transgender etc (pick your term). But I can see that could be difficult a. Because of data protection b. Some people on here wouldnt contribute for personal reasons
I have contacted Cody and received this response: “With regards to the potential interviewee, it’s really up to the individual. If they perceive themselves to be under the trans umbrella, that is sufficient. Be it transgender, transsexual or anything else. However, I only need 3 participants and I may have enough.”
With regard to Dorothy’s point about the proportion of trans people who identify under different labels, it is not really the Data Protection regulations that apply. As you will remember from completing an application form, no-one who joins the Beaumont Society is asked how they identify – other than to give a preferred name. Some of the reasons that estimates for the number (or proportion) of people in the UK who are trans vary so much are (a) that there are many definitions of ‘trans’ in circulation, and (b) many (possible most) only share this information with a select group of friends.
Is there any reason why people on here cannot volunteer information about what they are
I am thinking about something simple like TV or TS
For example I am TV
Those two terms arevery broad and cover most people here
Hi again Jane, Cody has just emailed back and they have indeed got three participants. Hey ho. Trans is the new fashion colour and students of what Life on Mars’ Gene Hunt called “applied bollocks” are bound to want to research it. Tomorrow’s another day.