Features / UWE Bristol
‘As a trans person, Bristol is the place I feel safest’
My name is Bear and I’m a trans man who has just graduated from UWE with a first-class degree in drama with theatre directing.
While university was not always easy for me – especially in finding my people in the first term and settling into a new city – three years on, I could not recommend Bristol as a city and place to study more highly, particularly for trans students.
Coming from a village in Kent where support for trans people was scarce, being thrown into this amazingly accepting and diverse city felt incredible (while also a bit of a whiplash). I honestly could not recommend Bristol more. Considering the current political climate and the roulette of public opinion, the city feels like a bubble of sanity and acceptance. Like any place, there are always people with different views, but as a trans person, this is the place I feel safest. There is a sense of community here, and hope for a kinder, freer country.
is needed now More than ever
This spirit is reflected in a new initiative, Safe Space Bristol, an organisation which encourages businesses around the city (and across the country) to register as certified safe spaces for trans people. Businesses that sign up include restaurants, bookshops, barbers, cafes and many more.
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One piece of advice: if you’re medically transitioning, do some research about GPs. Like anywhere, there are good ones and bad ones. I’ve been with two surgeries – Broadmead Medical Centre in the city centre and the Old School Surgery in Fishponds – and the nurses at both have been nothing less than exceptional.
Aside from this, my journey has mostly consisted of creating my own space. As someone wanting to enter an already competitive field, being trans often feels like another hurdle. So I adopted the attitude of carving my own path, seeking out opportunities for myself and others rather than waiting for them to arise.
I would be a traitor not to mention UWE’s Drama Society here. I have them to thank for my wonderful uni experience. I had the privilege of serving as president in my third year, and was involved in nine shows over my three years, directing five of them. If there’s a safe space anywhere in Bristol, it’s there.
Something to remember: be patient. Some people have never met a trans person. When coming to uni, everyone arrives from all over the country – and sometimes the world – from a huge variety of backgrounds. Inevitably, there will be a few who were raised in transphobic or homophobic households. It takes time for these people to acclimatise to the diversity here, but it does happen. A person’s background is never an excuse for disrespectful words or actions; however, time and learning are the first steps towards progress.
Giving people a chance is so important, and that’s one of the biggest lessons I’ve learnt. As a trans man, the extra layer of struggling to fit into male friendship groups and having ‘guy friends’ can be difficult. But test the water, take the offer, and they might just surprise you.
What’s even more important, though, is making an effort to find other trans people. It’s good to have cis friends and to know people who are different from you – a listening ear and kind words are great – but they don’t make you feel seen in the way a shared experience does.
The modern political landscape is rough. You need people who can relate to you and understand you. Join societies, especially queer ones, and explore queer freshers’ events. Always try to invite others to socials, and say yes as often as you can when you’re invited!
Enjoy the city, and ultimately remember this: we’re all just people, trying to find our people.
This article is taken from the Bristol24/7 Student Guide 2025
Main photo: Bear Plesch
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