‘More Than One Story’

I was honoured to be asked to contribute to Carboard Citizen’s More Than One Story series. The filmed monologues are written from the heart and personal experience about different perspectives of homelessness.  I was asked to write from the LGBTQ+ perspective.

Research from Stonewall shows almost one in five LGBTQ+ people have experienced homelessness at some point in their lives. Rates are even higher amongst trans people. According to the charity akt, 77% of LGBTQ+ young people gave family rejection, abuse or being asked to leave home as a cause of their homelessness. It’s a topic that’s deeply personal for me so it was a juicy one to get stuck into.  

The narrative for trans people is so relentlessly negative I’m always hungry for the opportunity to spread a little joy. To be a bit cheeky and remind people of our humanity. So I wrote about a young person who just wants another kiss – as simple and as complicated as that is. Interwoven are references to their identity and their homeless situation, without trauma being the main focus.

I’m really excited for people to see the films; they’ve been made with deep care and shit-hot artistic quality. I hope they wake us up to a little more empathy and inspire us to take some action. 

All the films can be found here!

Team: Directed by Chris Sonnex. Performed gorgeously by Noah Silvertone. Filmed by Black Apron Entertainment. In partnership with The Big Issue.

Interveiws: Launch article is here. My interview for The Big Issue is here.

Personal: What was hard: not much, it was a joy to be part of this project. What I’m most proud of: being part of the Cardboard Citizens family. I love everything they’re striving for. What I learnt: That the legal definition covers a much broader range of circumstances than most people first think of when they hear the word ‘homeless’. More specifics about the intersectionality of inequity for queer and trans people experiencing homelessness.