Trans Day of Visibility has been celebrated annually since 2000. It is a day dedicated to celebrating transgender people and to raise awareness of the discrimination they face worldwide. There are more than 60 countries around the globe where it is still illegal to be LGBTQI, and by extension to be trans. There are yet more countries where there are no specific laws criminalising trans people, but trans people are in danger and suffer significant persecution.
For Trans Day of Visibility 2025, we spoke to Bianca, a trans woman from Guyana. Guyana is a former British colony in South America. It inherited the colonial laws of the British, and being LGBTQI remains illegal. Guyana is also the only country in South America where legal gender change is not permitted.
Today, Bianca tells her story, and what drove her to seek safety in the UK. Read it here:
“I just want to live a safe life”
My name is Bianca, and I am a trans woman from Guyana. Growing up LGBTQI in Guyana was extremely tough. When I came out, I was disowned by my father and most of my family. My father claimed I was not his child, because he could not accept the fact that I am gay, let alone the trans woman I am now. He left my mother and divorced her because she accepted me for who I am. My mother stuck by me and was the only person who had always supported me.
During my life in Guyana, I was constantly harassed for being LGBTQI. I was beaten many times. I always had to watch my back, and I was even once stabbed in the back as I was walking along the road. It is impossible to live openly and safely in that country. I could not secure work, I could not get medical care. The staff in hospitals would openly mock me, they would call me Auntie Man. It was hell.
My mother, my rock
During this time, the only safe person in my life was my mother. She was my best friend, my constant source of support and the only thing that kept me going. But she fell seriously ill; I was the one that took care of her. I nursed her and cared for her until she passed, three years ago.
After my mother died, I realised how alone I was. Without her, I had no one to talk to, and I fell into a nasty depression. Now, there was no-one to treat me with any kindness. Eventually, I knew I had to do something. I told myself I cannot be living in a country where I can be prosecuted for being who I really am – a trans woman. I decided I am going to leave this country.
Leaving Guyana and a cold welcome in the UK
I had to try and find safety and happiness. I left Guyana and applied for asylum when I landed in the UK in September 2023. The UK was a big culture shock. The weather is unpredictable, and so are the people. In my culture, people are friendly, they greet each other, say good morning. It is not like that in London. In London I was somewhat safer from violence and harassment, but the city is also cold and unfriendly.
But I would be lying if I said things had been easy since coming to the UK. I have experienced transphobia and bigotry in my accommodation, and I have struggled to make friends. I miss the deep friendship and connection I had with my mother. When I got to the UK, I also struggled to get the hormones I needed – I waited over a year before it was sorted and it was terrible for my mental and physical health.
Joining Micro Rainbow
Finding Micro Rainbow was the best thing that happened to me in the UK. Micro Rainbow and its team gave me crucial support when I needed it most. The social inclusion events – especially the body and movement dance sessions – are places where I could be liberated and be my authentic self. I would strongly encourage all LGBTQI people fleeing persecution to reach out to Micro Rainbow. I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to the Micro Rainbow team and community for making me feel loved, welcomed and appreciated.
Keeping myself busy
Living in a hotel might sound nice, but it’s not. It’s terribly lonely, and all that time on my own means I think too much, I worry a lot and it can be very overwhelming. Some things have helped – I have been volunteering almost since I reached the UK. I volunteer in two charity shops and at a street market, and the routine has been good for me.
Now I have my refugee status things are changing for me again though. I have so many things to sort out – Universal Credit, somewhere to live – but I am working through all the things I need to do. I am happy to say that I have found a job doing care work. I have always loved caring for people so I am so pleased to be doing this again.
My message: “I just want to be treated with love, respect and compassion”
This Trans Day of Visibility I want people to remember than trans people are human. My whole life I have been dehumanised, beaten and harassed just for being who I am. The reason I came to the UK is because I want to live a quiet, peaceful and safe life. That is all I want. And, if I can be happy, eventually, I want that too. I want to feel the happiness from within.
