Who are you? Please introduce yourself …
“I am the girl who fought to become her true self. My name is Aeris Houlihan and I am a transgender woman who chose to fight against the status quo to promote equality in football.”
Why couldn’t you play? Why is it important for you to play?
“Because the governing body had an archaic process for transgender people to play football. Without equality what is society?”
What was the effect on you personally, how did you feel?
“I felt like I was on the fringe of being accepted. Football is arguably the most popular sport in the world. The decision to ban me from playing was a kick in the teeth for equality in the UK. I felt determined to stand up to the governing body rather than let it affect my brothers and sisters.”
Why is it important for everyone to play?
“Without equality we dont have a fair platform for society to aim towards a utopian society.”
Azeris Houlihan, January 2015