EMILY BRAVELY SHARES HER TRANSGENDER STORY

Every year on the 31st March International Transgender Day of Visibility is celebrated. A day dedicated to transgender people and raising awareness of the discrimination they face worldwide.

Emergency Medical Advisor Emily Hughes has been part of the North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) family since October last year.

Emily started her transition journey in April 2022 after years of not feeling her true self. She explained, “I have always known I was trans. However, I didn’t feel it was the right time for me. For a long time, I pushed it to the back of my head. But on 24 April last year, I took the leap and began my trans journey. Before I started I was very nervous but I had the whole support of my family and friends. I was so lucky to have that. Some people going through the same transition don’t and have a much bigger mountain to climb emotionally.”

Looking back now on the difference she feels after transitioning, she told us, “I feel complete and the happiest I have been in a very long time. I have had nothing but positive reactions, so I have been lucky. I know not everyone receives the same reaction, sadly.”

After an eight-month career break to focus on her transition, Emily joined Team NWAS answering 999 calls. She told us, “NWAS was my first job as Emily, so I wasn’t sure what to expect. From my very first day of training, I was treated like everyone else. That’s all I could have asked for. The inclusive friendly atmosphere that the Education Team created, made it a safe space for me.

Along with my colleagues, who I trained with, they were nothing but supportive.”

When we asked Emily about any barriers she has faced, be that personal or at work, she said, “The biggest obstacle for me was wearing a wig. I just couldn’t get used to it and felt it took away my natural face shape and was very itchy. I made the decision halfway through my training to stop wearing one and to have a short style until my own hair grows. I remember the first day I came in not wearing the wig. I was so nervous. However, I was instantly put at ease by the reactions. This has followed throughout my training in EOC.

“NWAS truly is the most inclusive organisation I have worked in. The support in place for staff is amazing. I am proud to work for them.”

Although Emily is accepted at work, she feels the trans community is, to this day, still discriminated against. She explained, “I chose to share my story because it’s important to raise awareness. There has been a lot of negativity lately regarding the trans community which can cause a ripple effect. It’s about putting positivity back out there to counteract that negativity.”