By Sarah Trussler and Crowley Vyner.
Legally, politically and socially, it is not easy being a transgender woman entering hormonal transition at this time. Just as Crow was beginning to feminise, the UK Supreme Court decision (April 2025) threw up in the air how she experiences transition. Whilst the rhetoric has been that many institutions are still trans friendly, what does that look like when you are trying to study, find a changing room, a job or just acceptance?
Crow and I (Sarah, Crow’s mother) are completing a duoethnographic study of her journey from her birth as Harry to her transition as Crow, 21 years later. Our study reflects conversations focused on key events, issues and themes along the way from both of our perspectives. We have had three conversations up until now and they have been enlightening, challenging and upsetting at times.
Below is an example of one of those conversations that we shared at a recent Talk About Teaching conference.
***
Sarah: Crow, why did you write this song (The Morrigan) – what is it about?
Crow: I wrote the song about my feelings around my body and my gender identity, and the confusion around it. At the same time, I was struggling with substance abuse and it was a way to validate how I felt about those things.
***
Sarah: Our research is exploring some of the key experiences for you growing up. For me, the decision I took not to let you have puberty blockers at 13 seems to have had the biggest effect on how you have viewed your transition. I thought I was acting in your best interests and I wanted the gender identity service to first explore previous trauma before talking about transition, which they said was not part of their treatment. What is your reflection on this reaction to you saying you were questioning your gender?
Crow: I feel like I missed a golden opportunity – so many trans youth are now denied any gender affirming care – so I also feel guilt and regret. If there was one choice I could fix, it would be that one: to start my transition then. I don’t think you were doing anything that any other parent would not have done, given the 2010s narrative around puberty blockers. I don’t blame you but I should have put my foot down, because you would have listened if I had.
Sarah: I regret my decision, too, but I did not have the understanding then that I do now.
***
Sarah: Why did you choose to study at York St John University?
Crow: Primarily, I’ll be honest, it’s because the course looked really good and because you worked there. It was also clear to me that it was a very accepting institution and this had been recognised nationally.
Sarah: What has been the experience been like up until now?
Crow: It’s been pretty good overall, a couple of missteps from a couple of people but nothing malicious. I love the fact that I finally get to explore something that I have wanted to do for a long time (music production).
Sarah: What would make the biggest difference to transgender students in terms of day-to-day interaction with tutors?
Crow: Having them know your pronouns before they speak to you – if they know your name, they should know your pronouns. This could easily be achieved by having pronouns on registers.
Sarah: Are there any more ideas for academics or professional services staff?
Crow: I think more robust training on how to treat transgender individuals would make it more comfortable for people to talk to us and a better experience for transgender students. It is a universally difficult, unique experience to each of us, so there is no one ‘cure all’ to the problems. People being accepting and open to the problems we face and prepared to ask questions – but not in a demeaning way – is important.
Sarah: We wanted to do this conference session to challenge people to ask questions about transgender students and their learning experience. To start this off, I recently asked a question that upset you: you were experiencing some of the less-pleasant side effects of taking hormones, and I asked, ‘Is it worth it?’ How did that make you feel?
Crow: It made me feel invalidated; as if my transition was conditional, because it is not just a physical thing. I don’t think you were trying to hurt me or question the importance of transition; I think it came from a place of ignorance because you have never been taught about it, so understanding the fundamental issues with transitioning can be difficult for you.
Sarah: What questions in the conference session did you feel were important in exploring transgender awareness amongst academic staff?
Crow: There was one: ‘How do I go about treating my trans students in the classroom or on campus?’ I don’t think it was the question, but how it was asked because it came from a place of not understanding but really wanting to. Lots of people feel that way but don’t know how to talk about it.
Sarah: What was your answer?
Crow: I said, treat us as you would any other student – sometimes people try too hard to avoid transphobia but fall into the trap of benevolent prejudice. This is because they are afraid of repercussions or fear of offending.
Sarah: Are you happy for readers of this blog to contact us with respectful ideas or questions?
Crow: Yes.
***
Bios
Miss Crowley Vyner: I have been working in the music industry for a decade, from performer to freelance music producer. I am now a student on the Music Production course at York St John University, which is opening more doors for me. I am a transgender woman who started socially transitioning in 2021 and then transitioning with hormone treatment since 2024.
Dr Sarah Trussler: I have the honour of being Crow’s mother. I have worked in primary schools and universities for the last 30 years and specialise in Early Years, mental health and SEND. I mainly work with students who are going to become primary school teachers on graduation. I enjoy working with students from diverse backgrounds and supporting York St John University’s mission to widen participation in higher education.