The biggest wins for trans people in the UK in 2026

It's been a tough year to be trans in the UK, but 2026 has had huge moments of joy too. From a Wembley benefit gig to major awards and TV representation, here are the wins worth celebrating as Trans Awareness Week begins.

It's been another difficult year to be trans in the UK. From continued uncertainty around healthcare to political decisions that have left many feeling excluded and unsafe, the community has faced plenty of challenges. But it hasn't all been bad news.

As Trans Awareness Week begins today, we're looking back at the biggest wins of 2026.

10,000 people fill Wembley for Trans Mission

One of the year's biggest moments of solidarity came on 11 March, when 10,000 people attended Trans Mission at London's OVO Arena Wembley. The benefit concert was organised by former Years & Years frontman Olly Alexander and Glyn Fussell, co-founder of LGBTQ+ festival Mighty Hoopla. The line-up included Sugababes, Wolf Alice, Adam Lambert, Sophie Ellis-Bextor and Kate Nash. The money raised was split 50/50 between the Good Law Project and trans-led charity Not A Phase.

Trans Pride Scotland protests outside Parliament

On 28 March, Trans Pride Scotland held a static protest outside the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh. Under the message "Pride IS a Protest", hundreds of people gathered outside Holyrood to show solidarity with Scotland's trans community and make their voices heard.

The event was deliberately held outside Parliament to send a message to the politicians making decisions that affect trans people's lives. The protest provided a visible show of community strength at a time of growing political debate around trans rights, reminding decision-makers that trans people must be included in conversations about their own futures.

Ella Morgan wins the Gaydio Icon Award

Reality TV personality and trans advocate Ella Morgan was named winner of the Gaydio Icon Award at the 2026 Gaydio Awards, held in Manchester on 20 March.

The award recognised how she uses her platform to put trans voices and visibility at the centre of the conversation, speaking openly about her own experiences and challenging misconceptions about the trans community. As one of the UK's most recognisable trans personalities, Ella has continued to use her public profile to push for greater understanding, representation and acceptance.

Trans in the City celebrates its 2026 Changemakers

On 31 March, Trans in the City unveiled its 2026 Changemakers List, celebrating people making a difference to trans inclusion and visibility across the UK. Those recognised included Oscar Davies, the UK's first publicly non-binary barrister, Chay Brown, director of TransActual, and Danielle St James, founder of Not A Phase.

The list celebrated the people working across law, business and grassroots campaigning to improve the lives of trans people.

QueerAF launches investigative journalism fund for trans writers

April saw queer media co-operative QueerAF expand its investigative journalism scheme, commissioning trans writers and reporters to investigate issues affecting the community. The fund supports in-depth reporting on subjects including healthcare access, policy changes and trans culture, giving trans journalists more opportunities to tell their own stories.

Abigail Thorn wins Amnesty's People's Human Rights Champion Award

On 6 May, actor Abigail Thorn picked up the People's Human Rights Champion Award at the 2026 Amnesty Media Awards. More than 13,000 people voted for the award, which is given by the charity Amnesty International UK. Abigail is the creator of the educational web show Philosophy Tube, which has a global audience of 1.6 million.

Amnesty said she uses her platform to advocate for NHS reform and for trans people to have equal access to healthcare, justice and protection from conversion therapy.

Russell T Davies brings Tip Toe to Channel 4

May saw the arrival of Tip Toe, a five-part Channel 4 drama from Russell T Davies, the writer behind Queer as Folk and It's a Sin. The series explores rising homophobia and transphobia in Britain, following the impact of growing hostility on the LGBTQ+ community.

Starring Alan Cumming, David Morrissey and trans actor Iz Hesketh, the drama was praised for its inclusion of trans talent and its portrayal of trans experiences on screen.

The series received widespread critical acclaim, with Radio Times awarding it five stars and The Guardian giving it four. Empire also described it as a landmark show capturing the queer zeitgeist.

British LGBT Awards celebrate trans trailblazers

The 2026 British LGBT Awards took place in London on 28 May, celebrating people and organisations making a difference to LGBTQ+ lives. Trans trailblazers were recognised across areas including advocacy, workplace inclusion and grassroots sport, shining a light on the people pushing for change.

Trans is Human wins Community Initiative of the Year

At the 2026 Rainbow Honours, grassroots organisation Trans is Human was named Community Initiative of the Year, recognising its work supporting trans people and bringing the community together. Through its community projects and wellbeing initiatives, the organisation provides spaces for trans people to connect, find support and feel less isolated.

100,000 people march for trans rights at London Trans+ Pride

July saw one of the biggest displays of trans solidarity the UK has ever seen, as more than 100,000 people took part in London Trans+ Pride. Marching under the theme "Our Future, Our Fight", crowds filled central London before gathering for a rally in Trafalgar Square.

The march was a huge show of support at a time when trans rights have been at the centre of national debate. Public figures including Yasmin Finney, Jessie Ware, Michaela Coel, Paul Mescal and Mel B also voiced their support for the community.

Trans Pride Manchester welcomes record crowds

The North West also saw a huge show of support in August, as Trans Pride Manchester welcomed more than 8,000 people for its biggest event yet. The day included marches, grassroots workshops and music, bringing the local trans community and its allies together to celebrate visibility and demand equality.

Hundreds of trans people and allies lobby MPs at Westminster

In September, hundreds of trans people and allies took their demands directly to Parliament as part of a mass lobby at Westminster. Attendees met with MPs to push for improvements to trans healthcare and stronger legal protections.

The event gave people the opportunity to share their experiences with politicians and make sure the voices of trans people were heard in the decisions affecting their lives.

Liberal Democrats adopt policy platform on trans inclusion

Also in September, the Liberal Democrats adopted a new policy platform at their annual conference, calling for updated guidance that addresses both the protection of single-sex spaces and the inclusion of trans people in public life.

The announcement was a significant political development, with trans rights and inclusion continuing to be debated across Westminster and beyond.

Trans films feature at the BFI London Film Festival

October brought more trans representation to the big screen, with the 70th BFI London Film Festival showcasing films including Easter, starring trans burlesque performer Sekja, and Iván & Hadoum, directed by Ian de la Rosa.

The festival's programme offered audiences the chance to see trans stories and performers represented in major cinema, helping bring a wider range of experiences to the screen.

Bethany Antonia's 'Protect the Dolls' T-shirt sparks a national conversation

Trans solidarity also made headlines in October when Strictly Come Dancing star Bethany Antonia wore a "Protect the Dolls" T-shirt during rehearsals, only for the slogan to be digitally removed from footage shown by the BBC.

The decision sparked widespread criticism and brought the message of support for trans women into mainstream entertainment news. The slogan became a talking point far beyond the ballroom, with viewers and public figures questioning why a message of solidarity had been removed.

London Royals Hockey Club wins Game Changer of the Year

There was recognition for trans inclusion in sport too, as London Royals Hockey Club won Game Changer of the Year at the Out For Sport Awards on 16 October.

The club used its platform to call for trans inclusion across grassroots and elite sport, highlighting the importance of making sporting spaces welcoming and accessible to everyone.

Good Law Project secures NHS settlement for trans woman

November brought an important healthcare victory when the Good Law Project announced it had secured a settlement for a trans woman whose surgery had been cancelled by an NHS trust.

The trust agreed to pay compensation following legal action. It was a significant outcome for the woman involved and an important reminder that trans people deserve equal access to healthcare, without discrimination.

Free trans healthcare training offered to medical students across the UK

On 10 November, inclusive healthcare platform Affirm partnered with trans healthcare provider Gender Plus to offer free, five-hour accredited training in trans healthcare to medical students across the UK.

The partnership aims to address gaps in medical education and give future healthcare professionals a better understanding of trans people's needs. Improving knowledge among the next generation of doctors could make a real difference to the experiences of trans patients.

Sam Hickman reaches LGBTQ+ New Comedian of the Year final

There was also a moment for trans talent on the comedy circuit in November, as musical comedian Sam Hickman reached the final of LGBTQ+ New Comedian of the Year. Her satirical song "Transitioning on the NHS" had gained attention online, using comedy to highlight the difficulties trans people face when accessing healthcare.

Trans campaigners push for inclusion in proposed Conversion Practices Bill

November also saw parliamentary debate begin on the draft Conversion Practices Bill, with trans advocacy groups lobbying to ensure gender identity is fully included in the proposed protections.

While the legislation is still being debated, campaigners have continued to push for trans people to receive the same protection from conversion practices as other LGBTQ+ people.

From Wembley Arena to the comedy stage, 2026 has given us plenty of reasons to celebrate trans talent, activism and community. These wins don't erase the challenges or the losses, but they show what can happen when trans people are given space to lead, create, campaign and be heard. And, most importantly, they show that trans people are still here, still visible and still making history.