What The Trans!? Equipment Drive!

We are What The Trans!?

We are a trans news podcast based in the UK who started as a response to the news media’s moral panic concerning the existence of transgender people. Here is one example of how the British media currently treats transgender issues:


Not very encouraging, is it?

We decided that a response was required. Established by LGBT journalist Michelle O’Toole (New Statesman, Pink News, Transgender Universe) and LGBT broadcaster Ashleigh Talbot (Manchester’s That’s Pride, BBC Radio Manchester), What The Trans aims to tell the trans community what we believe they need to know, and what they can do to change things. Our goal is to give activists, non-activists and everyone in between the information they need to combat the lies being spread, whilst boosting marginalised trans voices wherever possible.

This podcast is by trans people, for trans people. We by no means represent the entire community, but we exist as a resource for the community.

We have had some success so far debunking the myths perpetrated in the media, as well as signal boosting trans stories that people may have otherwise missed. But we could do so much more, and this is where you come in.

Our current recording studio is this second hand iPad:


This one tablet has been used to research, produce, record and edit every single podcast since we began. We also have two £25 microphones we found on Amazon. They are okay.

Of course, this limits what we can do. Video content is almost impossible, and whilst we can crank out a reasonably well produced episode, it is incredibly time consuming. Touch screen just isn’t the same as a mouse...

...so,with the money raised from this crowdfunder we could:

- Potentially, produce more frequent episodes
- Have much higher production values
- Use the extra time not consumed by tech issues with putting more research, more time, more of us into the stories we develop
- Have more guests! Who sound better!
-  Do video content!
- Host live streams!

To really make our podcast shine, we need £700

Here is the breakdown of where the money will go:

Two Blue Yeti Microphones (£240)


One laptop (£300)




The laptop is a HP 15-da0008na. This will be used for recording, light audio editing, research, social media outreach and will be used on the go when interviewing subjects, doing research in the field etc. This will be the home of the background admin stuff. (Specific model may end up being slightly different depending what is available when we reach our goal!)

The remaining £160 will go towards GoFundMe‘s Fees (GoFundMe fees are broken down here: https://uk.gofundme.com/pricing)

Any left over cash will go towards our podcast hosting fees (£12 a month, for however long the left over money lasts). We will publish a full financial breakdown once this crowdfunder wraps up.

We believe that trans voices are being ignored. Most opportunities trans people get to speak in the media are typically debates over our existence. By donating, you can help us change that narrative.