Transgender people are statistically* more likely to be stuck in a low income situation, whilst simultaneously having higher living costs. Whilst we can't fix all of these problems, something we can do is try to help out with items that are difficult to find secondhand at a reasonable price! If you have any of the following and would like to donate to someone in need, please get in touch.

Womens:

• Shoes size UK 10 and up
• Tall or long-line clothing of any style
• Plus size UK 18 or above clothing of any style
• Bras UK size 40 or above, especially with smaller cup sizes
• Unused makeup

Mens:

• Shoes size UK 5 or down
• Shorter clothing of any style, especially if suitable for under 5' 4" and/or plus size
• Binders in any size

*Key Statistics:

According to the Census 2021 data for England and Wales:

• Adults whose gender identity did not match their sex registered at birth had an employment rate of 49.2%. This contrasts sharply with the general population, where the overall employment rates for men and women are substantially higher.
• Trans people are more likely to be unemployed or economically inactive (e.g., long-term sick or disabled, or a student).

Broader surveys and evidence submitted to the UK Parliament highlight the disparity further:

• The 2018 National LGBT Survey found that 35% of trans women and 43% of trans men had no paid work in the 12 months preceding the survey.
• Research suggests trans people in the UK are 81% more likely to be unemployed than their cisgender peers.
• On average, transgender persons are 11.7% less likely to be employed than equivalent non-transgender individuals.
• Discrimination is a significant factor in these statistics; one in three employers in a 2018 survey admitted they would be less likely to hire a trans person.
• Anecdotal evidence suggests that some trans people receive no interest when applying for jobs while "out" as trans, but receive interviews when withholding that information.

These statistics indicate a significant "trans unemployment gap" driven by systemic biases, discrimination, and a lack of workplace inclusion policies.

Transgender people in the UK face significantly higher rates of homelessness, with trans youth being particularly vulnerable:

• Around 25% of trans people have experienced homelessness at some point, significantly higher than the general LGBTQ+ population and much higher than cisgender individuals.
• 77% of LGBTQ+ young people supported by AKT cite family rejection, abuse, or being asked to leave as a reason for homelessness.
• One in three trans young people surveyed experienced hidden homelessness (sofa surfing, etc.), compared to 22% of cisgender individuals.
• Almost 1 in 5 LGBTQIA+ renters have faced discrimination from landlords or letting agents due to their gender or sexual orientation. LGBTQIA+ people are 48% more likely to live in unsuitable housing than non-LGBTQIA+ people. Half of LGBT adults own their homes, compared to 70% of non-LGBT adults. This gap is partly due to discrimination by mortgage lenders.

This year, we've decided to trial a monthly coffee meetup for those of you who might find it difficult to attend the trips further afield.

We love supporting local independent businesses, so we've chosen Hops and Grounds (located just off Hailsham High Street) as our venue. We'll be meeting on the first Sunday of every month between 2-4pm, but we can switch things up if this doesn't work out.

Drop us a message if there's a day and/or time that you think makes more sense.

Please come say hi, and help us make this new kind of meetup a success!

P.S. Give H&G a follow on their socials:

Facebook Instagram

This year marks the 25-year anniversary of the lifting of the ban on LGBT+ people in the British armed forces. We’ve chosen to honour our LGBT+ veterans throughout history by telling some of their stories.

In the run-up to Armistice Day, we will be posting a different period in UK LGBT+ military history on our Instagram page, with a more in-depth document published here. Visit the below links to read more!

Hailsham Queers are in the process of creating statements and policies to outline our ethical codes of conduct. We recently released a statement regarding our support for the Palestinian people in the face of genocide:

We would like to publicly state that our members stand in solidarity with the Palestinian people and wish to add our voices to the international plea for action. The LGBT+ community are only too aware of the consequences of deliberate and concerted efforts to eliminate “undesirable” groups of people through violent (or other) means, and all of us share the same concerns regarding the consequences of refusing to address such blatant human rights violations.

We honour all the protestors for Palestinian independence who have uplifted us during our trans+ rights marches, and will no longer be supporting any LGBT+ events who do not align themselves with our allies.

You can read our full statement here.

Hailsham Queers are in the process of creating statements and policies to outline our ethical codes of conduct.

We recently released a statement regarding the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) within our creative endeavours:

The LGBT+ community have always placed high value on artistic endeavours, and many of our members continue this tradition by producing and appreciating original art in a variety of forms. All of us share the same concerns about how AI will affect the future of art and the artists who create it. We therefore want to state that we do not support the use of AI in creative endeavours, except as an enhancement tool used with the consent of the original creator. We will always promote original content, particularly that of our members and the wider LGBT+ community, and will never seek to use AI-generated content in place of content created by a human being.

Hailsham Queers may be a small organisation but we recognise our obligation to make responsible decisions, especially when our actions have the potential to affect others.

You can read our statement in full here.

The well-publicised recent supreme court ruling regarding the validity of transgender identities and their legal protections, in addition to "defining" lesbian identities, has been the target of considerable well-deserved backlash over the past few days.

Hailsham Queers and the Eastbourne Transgender Association (ETA) were proud to represent our community at the Hastings protest on 19th April 2025. We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the Hastings Trades Union Council and Trans Pride Hastings for arranging the event, in addition to all the speakers from the Hastings & Rother Rainbow Alliance, Hastings Women’s Voice, Hastings Stand Up to Racism, Hastings Green Party, the Socialist Workers Party, the National Education Union (NEU), and the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS). It meant a lot to all our trans members to see the overwhelming level of support from so many allies, and it allowed us to make connections with other local LGBT+ organisations so we can continue the fight for our rights together.

This ruling CANNOT be allowed to stand.

It goes against every intention behind the Equalities Act 2010, legitimises the ever-increasing violence and legal attacks on the TNBI community, and paves the way for the erosion of human rights for cisgender women, the neurodiverse and disabled community, refugees, and any other "minority" group that the far right choose to target next.

Whilst Hailsham Queers are not in a position to provide legal advice or financial support, we ARE able to share a number of excellent organisations who are doing exactly that. Check out the below if you need help or want to donate.

And to all our trans siblings; we see you, we celebrate you, and you are NOT ALONE.

Stay proud, stay loud. Lean on your community. We WILL get through this.

As you may have noticed, it's getting increasingly expensive just existing right now...

That's why Hailsham Queers needs your help! Aside from the community grant, we receive no funding other than that provided by our founder. Our website and MeetUp page have allowed us to reach people who would otherwise struggle to find their community, but neither of them are cheap to run.

If you can, please consider clicking the DONATE button in the top right. A regular contribution could allow us to take the first step towards becoming self-sufficient, but absolutely any amount will be gratefully received. Thank you for supporting us!

This year's Hailsham Town Council community grant scheme will soon be opening for applications, and Hailsham Queers will once again be submitting a request for funding.

Watch this space for further announcements...

We're proud to announce that we're a Hailsham Town Council 2024 community grant recipient!

Thank you for your generous contribution to our local community group. The money is funding a portion of our online presence and advertising, and helping our lower income members to attend social events they might not otherwise be able to afford.

Congratulations to Stand Proud in Hailsham and the White Hart for making our town's first ever Pride event a huge success! We look forward to having even more fun next year.