British Vogue has launched a powerful new video campaign titled , uniting the voices of 42 transgender and non-binary people from all walks of life.
The video, which features actors Laverne Cox and Dominique Jackson, is also accompanied by several op-eds by prominent members of the community, including and journalist .
"It is no coincidence that we see conservative and regressive political forces simultaneously attack trans rights, the freedoms of gay and bisexual people, and the bodily autonomy of women," Faye, who is a vocal advocate for the British trans community, writes.
"All three are interconnected issues that centre around how we see gender roles, and the right of people who have been historically disadvantaged to pursue their own destiny."
She adds: "I’d like people to remember we’re not an ideology or an agenda: mostly we’re people whose gender identities are a very small part of who we are, and we’re just trying to get on with our lives. I hope to see the day where acceptance of this fact is the norm. I’m hopeful I will."
The seven-minute video, which has been shared across the iconic fashion magazine's social channels, also features anecdotes from model Teddy Quinlivan, who came out last year, and 11-year-old Rebekah Bruesehoff from New Jersey.
"Growing up, I was severely bullied and nobody really understood me," Quinlivan says in the video.
She continues: "There was no education on being transgender. So I felt this way and I didn’t even know how to explain how I felt."
Bruesehoff went viral on social media last year after photographs emerged of her attending a local rally with a sign that read: 'I'm the scary trans person the media warned you about'.
11-year-old Rebekah Bruesehoff. Source: Twitter
Speaking in the video, the young girl explains that the attention she's received has only strengthened her resolve to "make my story heard and be a message of hope to others who aren’t as lucky as me".
The campaign is being applauded by members of the trans community, who say the increased visibility is a step in the right direction for the fashion industry powerhouse. Historically conservative, British Vogue hired new editor Edward Enninful late last year. In January of this year, Enninful's third issue at the helm, model and writer Paris Lees became the first openly transgender woman to be featured in the magazine.
"Look how far we've come," Lees said at the time.
"It's insane that I could be in Vogue. A trans kid from a council estate.
"People at school told me I'd never be a girl, would never be pretty enough, would never be accepted - well here I am being celebrated as a woman."
