Jay Thomas’ journey hasn’t been a straightforward one, but his inspirational strength and determination have led him to make a big impact by empowering others to face their own personal challenges with pride and confidence.
“While many people’s first experience of social isolation was the pandemic, for many LGBT+ people, it’s something they struggled with long before then and continue to.
We would use social media to connect with each other to feel less alone. Today, being gender diverse is more widely accepted, but can still be difficult for people in some communities. We need to help people understand that diversity isn’t a threat to society, it’s simply that not everyone is the same!”
Jay Thomas is nearing the end of his nursing degree and is all set to join us, where he will work as a nurse at our medium secure facility, Guild Lodge. But even before being employed by LSCft, Jay’s determination and passion for inclusivity is being felt by many.
Growing up, Jay struggled with gender dysphoria, which is a mismatch between his gender identity and biological sex. Jay was born female but always knew that he was man. A fear of how his family would react and how he would be treated led Jay to reject the feelings he was experiencing.
He had already been ostracised by his peers on coming out as lesbian at high school and that had a huge impact on his mental health.
Despite always being the advice giver within his friendship group, he didn’t know how to open up or where to start with accessing support.
Jay said:
“I didn’t know where to turn to for help. It was exhausting and it had a knock-on effect on all aspects of my life, from relationships to finances and studying.”
But Jay did eventually make the move in accepting who he was and not letting other people’s opinions get in his way. This was a major step for him, and what he describes as the “biggest act of self-love.”
It also gave him the confidence to quit his fine art degree and apply for nursing. He had the realisation that he was destined for other things when one day he witnessed someone have a bad fall at a train station, injuring their face. Jay was shocked that nobody helped, and although he wanted to, he didn’t know how and was saddened that he too didn’t step in.
He has always had a passion for helping others but it just took a little nudge (and overcoming his fear of blood and the more queasy elements of nursing!) for Jay to realise his true calling.
Outside of the wards and the care homes where he trains, Jay is having an equally big impact by empowering others to face their own personal challenges with pride and confidence.
His overall aim is to provide safe spaces for everyone to be their true selves and he’s playing a big part in that through his work with our staff network.
Jay said:
“I attended the Trust’s Inclusion and Belonging Conference last year, which was amazing.
I was able to talk openlywith colleagues and share professional perspectives. From there I also started attending LSCft’s LGBTQ+ staff network meetings and pride events.
I want to be able to help provide that support that I myself would have benefited from all those years ago.”
The little spare time that Jay has, he dedicates to research. He’s exploring areas where he believes further education is needed around LGBTQ+ matters, such as schools - where Jay himself faced some of his biggest challenges growing up – and is even planning to pilot a podcast to further reduce the stigma and provide a space for open conversations.
Jay concluded:
“People affected by intersectionality don’t always have the support network or friendship groups to help with what they’re going through. Things are changing and the stigma is reducing which is encouraging. But in the meantime, I want to be able to help provide that support that I myself would have benefited from all those years ago.”
