Civic honour for city icon

Inspirational transgender campaigner, April Ashley MBE has been named a Liverpool ‘Citizen of Honour’ on her 80th birthday, following a nomination by LJMU student Sharon Cody.

Born in Liverpool on 29 April 1935 as George Jamieson, April was one of the first people to have gender reassignment. Since then, from her platform as a successful model, she has been instrumental in the campaign for transgender and LGBT equality.

LJMU’s successful cultural collaboration with Liverpool’s gay arts and culture festival Homotopia  saw the University support an exhibition of trans history which featured the previously unseen private archive of April Ashley. This was alongside twenty new oral histories from individuals across the gender spectrum to explore changing social and legal conditions for all British transsexuals.

Sharon, who is studying Health and Social care for Individuals, Families and Communities, visited the Museum of Liverpool as part of her studies through LJMU’s cultural partnership with Homotopia and learned about April's life in Liverpool.  She commented:

“I went to see Aprils exhibition for one of my modules.  It was there I found out more about her life in Liverpool and wanted her to be recognised and acknowledged for the for the campaigning and changing of legislation she achieved. I got in touch with Councillor Barry Kushner who listened to my views and April’s story.  I am delighted that I could be a part of April being honoured in recognition of her work in fighting for transgender equality.”

April Ashley told local press:

“It is wonderful to be receiving this honour in my home city and for such a worthy cause. We all have a responsibility to stand up and fight for basic human rights and to be recognised for this is truly wonderful.”

Further information about LJMU’s cultural partnerships

Photo: Councillor Barry Kushner, April Ahsley with LJMU students Sharon Cody and Billie-Gina Thomason