Trans and non-binary folk deserve to be celebrated

After all the news about the UK Supreme Court's decision to exclude trans women from female-only spaces, I was stunned to see the outpouring of anti-trans vitriol both online and in newspapers. How can people attack one of society's most marginalised groups with such hatred? That's what baffles me. Especially when they try to disguise it as an act of feminism...because trans women are women.

As a wedding celebrant, I want any trans, non-binary or LGBTQ+ person to feel safe (and included!) at one of my ceremonies. Whether its your ceremony or you're a guest/ fellow wedding supplier at the wedding or vow renewal, you deserve to feel celebrated and respected. If you don't feel like that, then I have failed to do my job properly.

In terms of reassuring trans and non-binary folk that they are in a safe space at one of my ceremonies, please know that I don't just band the term 'inclusive' around in the hope that it shines a positive light on my work. Spellbound Ceremonies has been selected as a supplier and exhibitor for both the Book of Love/ The Un-Wedding and Quirky Weddings. They both select only the most inclusive wedding creatives; they do not accept suppliers who fail to align with their ethos of equality and inclusion. I'm very proud of that, but of course, that doesn't mean that I've 'ticked' the inclusion box. It's ongoing and something I will always be working at.

As an ally, I'm always trying to learn and ensure that everything I say and do marries up with that. In the wake of recent news, I've written to my MP about my concerns over the UK Supreme Court ruling and donated to charities that support trans people, but that doesn't feel like enough in the face of all this hatred. If there's anything I could do better or differently, I want to know about it. I am, after all, a cisgender woman, so I don't know what it's like to be a member of the LGBTQ+ community. I just hear about it, read about it and witness it; I don't live that experience.

Finally, I would love to say that everyone is welcome at a Spellbound Ceremony, but that's not quite true. You only get to be part of a Spellbound Ceremony if you bring a loving, inclusive, welcoming energy with you; if you're a good egg. The whole point of a celebrant-led ceremony is that it's a celebration of love and joy; the antithesis of hatred.

Transphobic and homophobic bigots are not invited. You can take your hatred elsewhere, thanks very much.

Trans rights are human rights. That's it.