 Sparkle logo | |
| Formation | 10 June 2005 |
|---|---|
| Legal status | Charity |
| Purpose | Transgender rights |
Region served | United Kingdom |
Chair of Trustees | Jay Crawford |
| Website | www.sparkle.org.uk |
Sparkle - the national transgender charity [1] based in the United Kingdom that is best known for organising the annual Sparkle Weekend in Manchester, which aims to celebrate the transgender community. The event claims to be the world's largest transgender event. [2]
Sparkle was formed in 2005 by Kimberly Nolan and was granted registered charity status in 2011 by board member Sophie Summers. [3]
Sparkle Weekend occurs in the second weekend every July, with the 18th weekend celebrated in 2023., [4] where over 12,000 people attended [5] It is based around Manchester's Canal Street, with local bars and restaurants sponsoring and advertising the event, and various talks and workshops are run. On the Saturday and Sunday, Sackville Gardens hosts a stage and well-being, family and sober spaces along with a well attended marketplace showcasing the best in trans retail.
Sparkle also hosts the Manchester Transgender Day of Remembrance every November on the Sunday nearest to the 20th to remember victims of transphobic crime as part of the Transgender Day of Remembrance. [6]
In addition to organising the Sparkle Weekend, the charity aims to promote awareness and acceptance of the Transgender community. [7] In November 2022, Sparkle organised a candle-lit vigil to remember victims of transphobic crime as part of the Transgender Day of Remembrance. Every year they continue this service to see the growth and change in support for the trans community and to remember those who were ‘known to us’.
Sparkle are also responsible for the National Transgender memorial project, commencing a replacement of the original monument following an incident of vandalism where it was found to be irreparable following fire damage. [6]
Sparkle has a governing body of trustees [8] who are led by Jay Crawford (Chair). Sparkle currently has two patrons Professor Stephen Whittle OBE and Actress Annie Wallace.
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The Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDoR), also known as the International Transgender Day of Remembrance, has been observed annually from its inception on November 20 to memorialize those who have been murdered as a result of transphobia. The day was founded to draw attention to the continued violence directed toward transgender people.
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The Black Ribbon Day, officially known in the European Union as the European Day of Remembrance for Victims of Stalinism and Nazism and also referred to as the Europe-wide Day of Remembrance for the victims of all totalitarian and authoritarian regimes, is an international day of remembrance for victims of totalitarianism regimes, specifically Stalinist, communist, Nazi and fascist regimes. Formally recognised by the European Union, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe and some other countries, it is observed on 23 August. It symbolises the rejection of "extremism, intolerance and oppression" according to the European Union. The purpose of the Day of Remembrance is to preserve the memory of the victims of mass deportations and exterminations, while promoting democratic values to reinforce peace and stability in Europe. It is one of the two official remembrance days or observances of the European Union, alongside Europe Day. Under the name Black Ribbon Day it is an official remembrance day of Canada. The European Union has used both names alongside each other.
The history of violence against LGBT people in the United Kingdom is made up of assaults on gay men, lesbians, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex individuals (LGBTQI), legal responses to such violence, and hate crime statistics in the United Kingdom. Those targeted by such violence are perceived to violate heteronormative rules and religious beliefs and contravene perceived protocols of gender and sexual roles. People who are perceived to be LGBTQI may also be targeted.
Transgender Awareness Week, observed November 13 to November 19, is a one-week celebration leading up to the Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDoR), which memorializes victims of transphobic violence. TDoR occurs annually on November 20, when transgender advocates raise awareness of the transgender community through education and advocacy activities.
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Transgender rights in the United Kingdom have varied significantly over time.
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This is a timeline of notable events in the history of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans community in Manchester.
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