Project to replace damaged Trans Memorial reaches milestone

April 2024

Sparkle – The National Transgender Charity in partnership with New Practice, an LGBTQIA+ and women-led architectural practice, and global professional services firm Arup, have submitted a planning permission application for a new National Trans Monument to replace the former National Trans Memorial sculpture, the first and only memorial of its kind in the country, which was removed from Manchester’s Sackville Gardens at the heart of Manchester’s Gay Village in 2022 due to extensive fire damage.

The design, ‘Passing on Light’, was conceived by Bek Ziola (they/he), Lead Architect of New Practice, following a bespoke, person-centred and experience-led consultation process by Arup to capture the needs and wishes of diverse trans and gender non-conforming communities in Greater Manchester and across the UK, and an open call-out to architects, designers and artists within those communities and their allies. 

The new monument draws together three key themes identified by the consultation; a site for contemplation and reflection, whilst also symbolising the strength and spirit of trans and gender diverse people.

Bek Ziola said, “The National Transgender Monument is a project that I hold very dear to my heart and have personal interest in getting delivered.”

Jay Crawford (he/they), Chair of Sparkle said “It was important to the Charity that the views and lived experience of the communities we serve helped shape the project to replace the previous memorial, so it’s fantastic that a trans person and their allies submitted a visionary design which fulfilled the original brief in such a captivating and uplifting way. We’d like to thank everyone at Arup, the LGBT Consortium, AECOM, Mott MacDonald, and, of course, Bek and Samuel at New Practice, for getting the project to this exciting stage.

As well as welcoming donations from community members and allies, we’re also exploring public funding streams and talking to private sector benefactors to ensure that we’re able to deliver the new National Trans Monument within such an ambitious timeframe.”

Tony Lovell (he/him), Chief Operating Officer, UK, India, Middle East and Africa, Arup added “Arup is proud to be part of this historic project that celebrates the diversity and resilience of the transgender community. As a firm that values inclusion and social impact, we are committed to creating spaces that reflect the needs and aspirations of all people. This monument is not only a tribute to the past, but also a

vision for an inclusive and accepting future, where everyone can live with dignity and respect.”

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Published: 10-Apr-2024: (7448)