Summary

A poem in memory of Brianna Ghey, Alice Litman and all the other trans people who have lost their lives because of transphobia. 

Trans Lives – A Poem

Trans lives begin with names assigned, yet our souls within are differently inclined; through dysphoria’s depths, our battles rage, our true self sought, a new path staged.

With judging eyes, the world outside inflicts wounds and shouts their lies, our struggles we face with grace and might, to live as our true self in truth…. and light.

In hushed reverence, we gather here, hearts heavy with sorrow and filled with fear for trans folk in the United States, a future so bleak, we can’t contemplate.

Sixteen years young, with dreams to pursue, a life full of promise, now shattered in view – trans and brave, Brianna dared to be free…. but hate’s dark hand… stole her destiny.

At the cliff’s edge, Alice sought release, a final act to find inner peace. The pain was too much for her to bear; her spirit sought the ocean’s stare.

A mother’s grief, a father’s pain, a family broken by endless rain – their love remains, a guiding star, in shadows deep, no matter how far.

We weep for the lost, their lives so brief, cut down by violence or by grief. For trans lives lost, too soon, too fast… their stories remembered, but their futures passed.

But in this darkness, hope remains to challenge the system, and ease the pains – to build a world, where all are free to live in love… and dignity.

May memories be a guiding light… fighting for justice to make things right – that we will stand united, and strong, until the day …..we right………….. the wrongs.

Steph Richards,
In memory of Brianna Ghey, Alice Litman and all the other trans people who have lost their lives because of transphobia. 

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Steph Richards (she/her) is a 74-year-old human rights activist, intersectional feminist, and recipient of a 2023 Inspirational Women of Portsmouth Award. Holding a Gender Recognition Certificate and "post op", she is the founder and Chair of Translucent.Org.UK, which was named LGBT Organisation of the Year at the 2022 National Diversity Awards. Steph was also shortlisted as a Positive Role Model for Gender at the 2025 National Diversity Awards. Steph’s leadership spans political, healthcare, and community advocacy. She served as the Women’s and LGBT Officer for the Portsmouth Labour Party (2021–2024), co-founded the Women’s Action Network (Portsmouth), and is a former CEO of a women’s health charity. A passionate champion for women's healthcare, she possesses extensive expertise in baby loss awareness, actively defends UK abortion rights and is a member of "Women Against the Far-Right". Calling out VAWG, Steph has researched and written about 125 women and girls killed by a man. A prominent voice in national media and debate, Steph has been featured live on BBC Radio 4's Woman's Hour, Anti Social, Good Morning Britain, Times Radio, LBC, GB News, and Channel 4 News. In 2023, she debated trans human rights alongside Harvard biologist Dr. Carole Hooven at a prominent US university event.

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