November 17th 2025.
A week-long exhibition, called Trans is Human, is currently being held in London's West End. According to Jake Graf, a trans man living in London, trans people are just like anyone else - they can be boring too. Jake himself has had quite an interesting life, having been born during the time when Section 28 was in effect. This was a policy in the 1980s that banned the promotion of gay lives in schools. Despite this, Jake has gone on to become a successful trans actor and filmmaker. He is also married to Hannah Graf, a trans award-winning campaigner, and they have two beautiful daughters together.
But despite their accomplishments and unique experiences, Jake and Hannah are just like any other ordinary, run-of-the-mill couple. They face the same everyday challenges as any other family, such as getting spit-up on their shoulders, buying groceries from Sainsbury's, and even using the toilet. As Jake puts it, "Trans people aren't all singers and dancers and larger than life. We're just normal people, a little boring, and that's perfectly fine. We're happy."
This is the message that Jake and Hannah hope to convey through their new exhibition, Trans is Human. The exhibit, currently on display at Outernet in Soho, aims to raise awareness and promote visibility for the trans community during Trans Awareness Week. It features 13 stunning portraits of trans individuals, taken by photographer Mariano Vivanco. The exhibit is accompanied by the song Hello, Heaven, Hello by Yungblud, which adds to the overall powerful and thought-provoking experience.
Scott Neal, the creative director of culture and lifestyle at Outernet, emphasizes the importance of public representation for the trans community, especially in light of recent hostile media coverage and a decrease in LGBTQ+ rights in the UK. He hopes that the exhibit will create a moment of empathy and understanding in one of the most public spaces in London. "My hope is that people leave feeling more connected, more open, and more aware of the beauty and strength in diversity," says Neal.
Jake and Hannah created the exhibit as a way to combat misinformation and prejudice against the trans community. They were overwhelmed with the response to their casting call, receiving over 250 applicants. The final 13 portraits showcase the ordinary yet inspirational stories of trans individuals. Among them is Sarah, a blind runner who has completed 52 marathons and raises money for other blind adults. There's also Milo, an aspiring drummer, Amanda, a Ugandan refugee, and Leo, who has dyskinetic cerebral palsy.
As Jake explains, trans people are not often portrayed in this way. In fact, media coverage of the trans community has become increasingly hostile in recent years. The rights of the community are also facing setbacks, with a recent Supreme Court ruling that defines "woman" as someone who is biologically female under anti-discrimination law. Transphobic hate crimes have also seen a sharp increase, making trans people feel dehumanized and marginalized.
Jake and Hannah hope that their exhibit will challenge these negative narratives and bring awareness to the struggles and beauty of the trans community. They also address the current political climate, with government plans to reform the Gender Recognition Act and the upcoming guidance from the Equality and Human Rights Commission. This guidance may potentially advise single-sex service operators to ban trans individuals from using public bathrooms and changing rooms, which would further marginalize and discriminate against the community.
Despite these challenges, Jake remains optimistic about the future. He believes that progress is being made globally and that in 10 years, the world will be a better place for trans individuals. "We need to realize that we are just one tiny, little island, and we are seeing progress across the world," says Jake. "Trans people will look back on this and think, 'How did we get there? Thank goodness people stood next to us, the world is now a better place.'"
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