As a trans person, I want to have a conversation with Amanda Abbington

The annual announcement of Strictly Come Dancing contestants has begun, and one, actor Amanda Abbington, has generated a mixed response, to say the least.  

In the past, Abbington has made some controversial comments on LGBT+ issues – referring to a particular drag show as ‘abhorrent’ and claiming ‘you cannot have a penis and be referred to as a woman.’

Understandably, there was concern about someone who had made such ignorant comments about the trans community being given such a high profile role.  

Amanda released a statement, which for me seemed to raise more questions than it answered. 

Amanda insists she is an ally of the trans community as well as women’s rights, but said that she supports ‘legitimate’ trans people. 

And that started alarm bells ringing; when I saw that qualification in Amanda’s support of trans rights I was equal parts apprehensive and frustrated.

The Sherlock actor tried to clarify she was referring to people who weren’t in the community ‘for the right reasons and those who were ‘hijacking’ the movement.

It makes one wonder what requirements I have to fulfil to be considered a legitimate trans person, and not one of the ‘infiltrators’ that apparently worry Amanda.

Do I have to look a certain way? Do I, as a trans feminine person, have to dress at all times in hyper-feminine clothing? Or take on stereotypically feminine roles in society? Or have full gender confirmation surgery in order to be deemed legitimate by her?

I would love a list, because it’s a bit unclear.

There’s a possibility that Amanda is referring to the high profile cases in which trans people have been found guilty of violent crimes, which parts of the UK media seem obsessed with writing about.

Too often, I hear people assume that trans criminals are somehow the norm, despite these extreme cases representing only a handful of people who are in no way reflective of our community. 

An opportunity to learn and grow should never be squandered, especially not when it’s people’s lived experience that we’re talking about

I don’t necessarily believe Amanda is hugely transphobic – but rather just uninformed and someone that could benefit from having genuine conversations with trans people about their experiences. 

I don’t want to just criticise Amanda – there is potential for her to learn, grow, and be true to her own claims of allyship.

What the Strictly contestant has shown instead is that she isn’t particularly informed on the topic – which admittedly a lot of people aren’t. 

You might expect me to be angry, but it is honestly fine, provided there is a willingness to learn, and to understand that making statements without knowing much about a community of real, complex, valid people isn’t likely to be received well by said community.

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My main worry is that when someone holds what appears to be controversial or even prejudiced views is that they will use the platforms they are given to spread them even further, which can only cause harm to trans people.

Experience has taught us that this fear is justified – as influential celebrities and personalities regularly find the need to comment on trans issues, without necessarily being very clued up.

It’s incredibly frustrating, because while it is understandable to discuss a sensitive topic, we need to be careful about the consequences our words might have on the lives of real people.

It’s not a coincidence that hate crimes against trans people have been steadily rising in the past few years, and I strongly believe a factor in that is an increase in negative coverage from parts of the media, and politicians using trans issues as a political football in their campaigns.

That’s why people raise concerns about some of the comments that Amanda has made in the past – not because of ‘cancel culture’ or to try and stop her earning a living – but because they are afraid of how it’s going to continue adding onto what I can only describe as an onslaught on trans people. 

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For people that otherwise love watching Strictly, something like this can quickly sour the experience and excitement of the show.

Rather than repeating harmful tropes, I genuinely wish Amanda would reach out to trans-led organisations that could have an open and honest conversation with her, where she will be given an opportunity to understand why people have found some of her past comments offensive, and why her more recent ones added fuel to the fire.

I know there are plenty of people that would be willing to have such discussions with her, myself included. All she has to do is to reach out with an open heart and mind. 

An opportunity to learn and grow should never be squandered, especially not when it’s people’s lived experience that we’re talking about. 

And taking that opportunity will truly be the most ‘legitimate’ thing for Amanda Abbington to do. 

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