Queen's Park Geocache Trail

Contact

About

A person does the limbo under a tree branch. The sun casts a shadow behind them


Hello. Thank you for reading my story, and for following the Geocache trail – if that’s how you made your way here.

I created this as part of a writing assignment for university. I wanted to write about transness and nature, and to also mark a point in my life when things were starting to unfurl. I hope that you enjoy reading it.

Trans and non-binary people are increasingly under attack, and the UK government (among many others) are attempting to legislate us out of existence. But we do exist, have always existed, and will continue to exist. And we deserve to do so without the constant threat of persecution. Our lives are not a debate. We deserve dignity.

This is a really hard time to be trans. If you need any support, please reach out to one of the resources below. There’s also a whole host of community events in Glasgow – I have found a lot of joy and strength in queer community. Despite what the media tells us, there are people who care, there is support available and people will help you.

Telephone and webchat helplines

  • Galop offer specialist web chat on their website for LGBT+ people experiencing violence and abuse, including hate crime, sexual violence and domestic abuse, and have phone lines available, 020 7704 2040, Wednesdays and Thursdays 5-8pm.
  • Intercom Trust is an LGBTQ charity which offers a helpline available at 0800 612 3010.
  • LGBT Foundation is accessible by phone, 0345 330 3030, Mondays-Fridays 9am-5pm.
  • LGBT+ Helpline Scotland for those 16+. Freephone number 0800 464 7000, plus LiveChat and email support. They are open Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays 12-9pm and Sundays 1-6pm. They provide specific supports for survivors of or those experiencing conversion practices. Plus support in BSL on Thursday evenings 6-9pm.
  • LGBT Switchboard has an online chat available on their website and can be reached by phone, 0300 330 0630, available everyday 10am-10pm.
  • LGBT Youth Scotland have online chat available to young people ages 13-25 on their website Mondays and Thursdays from 6pm to 8pm.
  • Mermaids have phone lines open to young people up to age 20 and their families Mondays-Fridays from 9am–9pm at 0808 801 0400.
  • Mindline Transline can be reached by phone at 0300 330 5468, Mondays and Fridays 8pm-midnight.
  • Mind Out offers a chatline on their website and the hours are updated each time they are available to show when they are online.

Useful organisations

  • Edinburgh Rape Crisis Centre offer free and confidential emotional and practical support, information and advocacy to women, all members of the trans community, non-binary people and young people age 12-18 in Edinburgh, East and Midlothian, who have experienced sexual violence at any time in their lives. This includes, rape, sexual assault, sexual abuse, childhood sexual abuse and commercial sexual exploitation.
  • Galop support all LGBT+ people ages 16+ who have experienced hate crime, domestic abuse or sexual violence by providing advice, support and help. Galop also has a dedicated Trans Advocacy Service which can offer confidential advice and support by telephone, email or face-to-face for people who have experienced violence, abuse or transphobia.
  • Gender Identity Research and Education Society (GIRES) – Advocacy and information charity
  • LGBT Health and Wellbeing have a Trans Support Programme available for those 16+, where you can access emotional support, resources, guidance and information. One to one appointments are available by request, and counselling is available as well.
  • LGBT Youth Scotland have support available for trans youth in Scotland between the ages of 13-25.
  • Mermaids supports transgender, nonbinary and gender-diverse children and young people until their 20th birthday, as well as their families and professionals involved in their care.
  • MindOut is a mental health service run by and for LGBTQ+ people with experience of mental health issues. They provide safe spaces for people to meet and support each other, help people protect their rights and get their voices heard, and campaign and create conversations about LGBTQ mental health.
  • Press for Change are leading experts in UK transgender law
  • Scottish Trans Alliance run campaigns, advocacy and information
  • Stonewall Scotland LGBT equality advocacy and campaigns
  • UK Trans Info is a national charity for trans and non-binary people

Community groups and queer friendly venues in Glasgow

Updating this as I find more:

  • Category Is Books: an independent LGBTQIA+ bookshop in the southside of Glasgow. A space to learn about, be inspired by and share your love of queer books, history, art, activism, writing and storytelling. The bookshop is open Thurs – Sun 11am – 5pm.
  • Exhale Group CIC: spaces for and by QTIPOC+ (LGBT+ People of Colour) in Glasgow and beyond
  • Glasgow Queer Book Club: a queer book club, meets monthly
  • Glasgow Zine Library: a self-publishing library, archive and community space located in Govanhill, Glasgow. They host a year-round programme of affordable, accessible events, hold a collection of over 3,500 zines, and organise the annual Glasgow Zine Fest.
  • Pluto Q Community Reading Room: an accessible community arts venue in Govanhill, Glasgow. It is a free, inclusive space led by a team of queer and disabled creatives with a shared vision of a venue designed around the needs and dreams of marginalised artists.
  • Small Trans Library Glasgow: a small lending library of trans books for trans people based in Glasgow. They also hold regular events.
  • Queer Families: monthly community group for queer families in Glasgow
  • Queer Horror Club: a monthly club for enjoyers of queer horror
  • Queer Voices Glasgow: a community choir for queer people in and around Glasgow.