Benedict Case serves as the charity’s spokesperson for transgender children, Mermaids.
I wanted to highlight an aspect of my life that is very dear to my heart, theater, and the people I’ve met through it as we celebrate International Trans Day of Visibility (TDOV) this Sunday, March 31.
In a world that is still generally so distrustful of trans people and discriminates against them, theater provides an outlet for self-expression, advocacy, and acceptance. For many people, theater or video is likely the first time you’ll encounter transgender people, and seeing people like you being happy, even if on a stage, is inspiring and beautiful. Theaters provide the places where we can be seen, tell our tales, and, in some cases, make a small difference in the world.
A bit about me: I am 21, nonlinear and go by they/them pronouns. In my first year of university, I came out as transgender. Back then, I was studying on a base year with the intention of going into computer science, but my love has always been in theater, so I joined several societies focusing on theater, film, and comedy.
Some of my closest and most encouraging companions ended up being those in these societies. In these cultures, you could be who you are without making excuses or escaping the outside world for a while at least and just spending time with people who have the same interests as you and assist you. These friends were the ones who taught me that I could pursue my love rather than play it safe, so next year I made the decision to move to studying theater, which I adore.
Theater serves as a safe haven for some trans children because it is so firmly connected to the LGBTQ+ community. Through television shows that bring our stories to life on levels that are otherwise impossible, they offer glimpses into our lives, highlighting the difficulties and challenges we encounter, but more importantly, the joy and embrace that come with being transgender. It enables people to connect with us and remain with us afterward, which would otherwise be impossible.
It’s not just watching movies either; children’s theaters and cultures have been some of my favorite activities in this area. I’ve been lucky in every group I’ve had the pleasure to be in, being full of forward-thinking, supportive, friendly people who made me feel secure and seen. Trans youth find the people who accept and support them, holding them up so that they can grow and be seen in these settings.
Let’s celebrate the transformative effect of theater on the lives of trans youth as we observe Trans Day of Visibility. Theater has a significant impact on empowering transgender people by enabling them to accept their identities and make their voices heard, from creating communities that we can feel safe in to advocating for change and telling our stories.
To me, theater is so dear to me and so significant to today’s transgender youth.
Benedict is a youth ambassador for Mermaids, which has been supporting trans, non-binary, and gender-diverse children, young people, and their families since 1995. You can help them with their work here.
