Welcome to Trans Media Watch

This website is aimed principally at two groups of people.

First, if you are a journalist, writer, director or involved in the media in any other way, this site is for you.

Here you'll find guidance on an area which is often misunderstood - how to portray transgender issues and people. Ways which will allow you to present your story clearly and fairly. Ways which will respect the feelings of the trans person on whom you are focussing, and not expose that person to unnecessary or unfair ridicule - nor encourage prejudice, bigotry or potentially even violence from others (which may affect not just the subject of your piece but, potentially, other trans people, who have to live with the results of what you say, write or show).

Second, if you are a trans person and the media is taking an interest in you, this site is for you.

Here you'll find guidance and advice about what to expect, how to respond to enquiries and how to protect your interests, and your dignity, throughout.

Our vision at Trans Media Watch is a Britain in which the portrayal of trans people and their lives in the media is fair, respectful and accurate. We want to see an end to the prejudice, bigotry and hate routinely directed at trans people and we want the media to play its role - no longer fuelling these things. We are more than happy to work with any representative of any media organisation to help them do a good job.

Latest News

Trans Media Watch responds to the Advertising Standards Authority's adjudication on the Paddy Power ad - click here

Helen Belcher attended the Westminster Media Forum on 20 March 2012, which discussed media regulation and the effect of the Leveson Inquiry with a large number of notables, including Lord Hunt of Wirral, Bob Satchwell, Simon Kelner, Lord Fowler, Richard Peppiatt, Prof Steven Barnett and Helen Goodman MP. You can read her follow-up submission here >.

TMW is incredibly proud that Paris Lees was one of the panel on BBC Radio 1's Sexuality Night on 11 March 2012, explaining some trans issues to a wide audience.

On 8 February 2012, Helen Belcher (Trans Media Watch's Treasurer) gave evidence in person to the Leveson Inquiry into the culture, standards and ethics of the press, Click here to go to the page on the Inquiry's website to see her give evidence. She starts about 54 minutes into the video, and the transcript can also be viewed from this page.

On the same day, Paris Lees appeared on BBC Breakfast News giving support to a petition raised by Saffy and Livvy James calling for the abolition of transphobic language in the British press.

Following a series of problematic articles after Helen's appearance, Trans Media Watch made a second submission to the Leveson Inquiry on 28 February 2012. This can be seen on the Downloads page.

Trans Media Watch is now formally registered as a charity with the Charity Commission in England.