Heartstopper star among the ‘dolls’ named Glamour’s Women of the Year
Munroe Bergdorf, Shon Faye, and Bel Priestley are among the trans women being celebrated by Glamour UK’s Women of the Year issue. (Getty)
Munroe Bergdorf, Shon Faye, and Bel Priestley are among the trans women being celebrated by Glamour UK's Women of the Year issue. (Getty)
Glamour UK has named several British trans women aka ‘The Dolls’ as the magazine’s Women of the Year.
The magazine has profiled nine British trans women – Munroe Bergdorf, Shon Faye, Bel Priestley, models Munya, Ceval Omar and Taira, campaigners Dani St James and Maxine Heron, and the musician, Mya Mehmi – in its annual Women of the Year Awards.
Glamour UK cites the ongoing struggle for trans rights, and the roles the women play in leading the fight for equality and acceptance, as reasons for their recognition.
It follows the UK Supreme Court‘s ruling in April that excluded trans women from the legal definition of ‘sex’ and the well-funded movement to deny trans people access to equal rights and even basic services.
It also comes amid the ongoing success of the ‘Protect the Dolls’ t-shirts debuted by designer Conner Ives at London Fashion Week in February. The word “dolls” is often used by trans women to affirm their femininity, a usage that originated in 80s ballroom culture.
As of September, more than $600,000 (£445,186.42) has been raised to support trans people through sales of the t-shirt.
After posting about the cover on Wednesday (29 October) Glamour UK’s comments were filled with people celebrating the iconic cover as well as the women being profiled.
“Icons,” wrote one stan while another added, “Stunning stunnning stunnnninnnnngggg.” Alex Consani described it as “Fabbbb,” while JADE, a prominent LGBTQ+ ally, added applause, heart eyes and flower emojis.
Others wrote, “this is so iconic,” while many more celebrated by posting the trans flag emoji or heart emojis in the colour of the trans flag.
Throughout the profile, the women discuss various topics such as their experiences as trans women in the UK today, their hopes for the future, and their concerns.
Bergdorf opines “it is the time” to have a conversation around protecting trans people, “especially trans women who are being so heavily targeted.”
“But we also need to turn that into action,” she adds.
Not A Phase’s communications officer, Heron, addresses the current “obsessions” with trans people reflecting that now is “the first time I’ve wondered if coming out was the right thing.”
Model and writer, Taira, warns of the risk of using the term ‘dolls’ out of context, fearing it could “encourage objectifying trans bodies.” She also says, “We just want to have a good life with dignity, as everybody does. I don’t believe we are threatening anyone by merely existing.”
Priestley added, “I think the Supreme Court ruling really gave people the justification to just say what they want because the media and the government are basically backing their views.” Meanwhile St James and Munya celebrate the sense of sisterhood between trans women.
Omar urged people to employ trans models, arguing it’s a sure fire way to support trans people while Mehmi challenged people to “Put some respect on it, bitch!” in regards to the trans community.
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