The 2010s were characterised by rising transphobia and hate speech, particularly on social media. It still seems difficult for society to discuss questions of gender in a reasoned and balanced way.

Even in the 2020s, a third of all LGBT+ people have been victims of homophobic, biphobic or transphobic hate crimes.

Half of all LGBT+ young kids in schools are bullied because of their sexual orientation or their gender identity.

The artist has long been associated with trans activism, specifically, through works like and

For the artwork under consideration, Firrell took a great deal of time and care in the depiction of trans identity.

In the artist's own words, 'It is all too easy to regard trans beauty through a heteronormative lens. For me the great beauty of trans identity is the implied act of self-realisation and self-actualisation.

‘We are all our own inventions in one way or another. I wanted this depiction of trans to be gentle, but powerful, beautiful but realisable.'

The battle for LGBT+ equality will only be won when all residual elements of discrimination against trans people have been swept away and LGBT+ people as a whole have fully equal laws and fully equal dignity, respect and rights.