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Looking Glass 2024: Mental health of trans and non-binary workers

During Trans Awareness Week, we’re taking a deep dive into the experiences of trans and non-binary professionals working behind the scenes 
17 November 2025 
Mark Tweddle (he/​him) is a Research and Insight Manager at the Film and TV Charity

Why Trans Awareness Week matters for the film, and TV industry

We’re publishing this blog during Trans Awareness Week – a time dedicated to amplifying the voices of trans and non-binary people, celebrating their contributions, and confronting the challenges they continue to face. 

In this post, we share findings from our 2024 Looking Glass survey to shed light on the experiences of trans and non-binary individuals working behind the scenes in UK film and TV. Our hope is that these insights not only offer food for thought but also serve as a call to action – underscoring why greater support and understanding for our trans colleagues is essential to building a truly inclusive industry.

What our Looking Glass 2024 survey reveals

Among the 4,376 respondents to the 2024 Looking Glass survey were 56 individuals who identified as trans and/​or non-binary – accounting for 1.3% of the total response to that survey. According to Creative Diversity Network’s latest Diamond data, transgender people accounted for 0.6% of off-screen workers during the period Aug-Dec 2024.

Mental health and wellbeing statistics

  • Almost half (46%) of trans and non-binary respondents rated their mental health as ​‘poor’ or ​‘very poor’. 
  • More than half (52%) experienced suicidal thoughts over the past year
  • Approaching two-thirds (63%) often feel lonely at work, something which our wider research has shown to be a strong predictor of poor mental health
  • Half (50%) had experienced bullying, harassment or discrimination over the past 12 months

As shown in the chart below, for each of these measures the experiences of trans and non-binary respondents were notably worse than the industry average.

Though these statistics are shocking, they are, sadly, perhaps not too surprising. They demonstrate that trans and non-binary workers in the industry face unique challenges, and that increased support and understanding are desperately needed. 

How the industry can better support trans and non-binary workers 

Earlier this year Transforming Film published a toolkit specifically designed to improve the inclusion and experiences of trans and non-binary professionals in the screen industries. It was telling that among the panel of trans workers from the screen industries at the toolkit’s launch event in July, all could recount numerous negative experiences of being trans in the industry, but very few positive experiences were recalled.

About the Transforming Film toolkit 

The toolkit offers: 

  • Practical advice for productions 
  • Insights into lived experiences 
  • Downloadable templates and checklists for different stages of the production cycle ‒ helping teams move beyond good intentions to meaningful inclusion

Transforming Film’s toolkit should be a go-to resource for anyone in the screen industries committed to trans inclusion. 

The industry has shown more interest in telling trans and non-binary stories in recent years but hasn’t yet reckoned with what it means to tell those stories well at large, and how to create inclusive and supportive work environments for trans and non-binary people in the industry. Our toolkit breaks down the learning and actionable steps necessary to fast track the industry on its journey.
Nim Ralph (they/​them), Transforming Film 

Support and resources from the Film and TV Charity

Urgent support

For anyone working behind the scenes in UK film, TV and cinema, the Film and TV Charity’s free and confidential Support Line is available 24/7 – just call 0800 054 0000.

It can support you with: 

  • Mental health and wellbeing support
  • Free counselling sessions
  • And much more

Other ways we can support you

Our Bullying Advice Service offers confidential 1‑to‑1 support and guidance – whether you’ve experienced it or witnessed it. 

We also provide tailored advice for any behind-the-scenes professionals facing discrimination, including specific resources for those facing gender reassignment discrimination. 

Through on-going research like our Looking Glass Survey, we will continue to capture data on trans and non-binary gender identities, ensuring their voices are featured in our analysis to better understand the communities at greatest risk of poor mental health and in greatest need of support.