Barbara Ross
Barbara Ross OBE | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1929 |
| Died | 2015 (aged 85–86) |
| Occupation(s) | Social worker; gender counsellor |
| Organization(s) | OASIS (founder); The Barbara Ross Association |
| Known for | Work with LGBT people in Norfolk |
| Honours | OBE "for services to Gender Dysphoria" |
Barbara Ross (1929–16 February 2015)[1][2] was a social worker and gender counsellor, noted for her work for the LGBT community in Norfolk.[2][3]
Early life
[edit]Barbara Gladys Ross[4] was born in Essex in 1929, and moved to London on marrying her first husband.[2] She qualified as a social worker, gaining significant experience in London's East End between 1950 and 1970.[5]
Ross moved to Norfolk in 1970 with her second husband, and lived in the village of Stoke Holy Cross.[2]
Career
[edit]In 1974, Ross' career in gender counselling began with a referral from a fellow social worker, who asked her to see "a strange young man who is probably gay".[5] This individual's gender dysphoria, and subsequent death by suicide, prompted Ross' efforts to provide focused support for transgender people.[5]
Ross founded the Norfolk-based Gender Identity Services, through which she worked to provide medical advice and psychological support.[5] In the early 1980s, she founded OASIS: a support group for trans people and their partners, family and friends, providing an environment of mutual support and friendship.[6][7]
In 2001, Ross organised the first International Transgender Conference, held at the University of East Anglia.[5] This developed into a biennial series, bringing together experts from across the world.[5][8] The Barbara Ross Association was established in 2009 to continue Ross' work, including the running of the Transgender Conferences and Oasis.[8] The conferences continued until 2016.[6]
In 2007, Ross was nominated for the Outstanding Achiever of the Year 2006 award, one of the Department of Health's annual Health and Social Care Awards.[9] In 2011, she received an OBE "for services to Gender Dysphoria".[10][11][12]
Legacy
[edit]In 2021, Ross was among the women selected by Norwich-based group Rosie's Plaques to be featured on stones painted and left around the city, honouring local women on International Women's Day.[1] In 2024, theatre and activist group The Common Lot named an alley for Ross as part of the project "Rename the Streets!".[13][14]
External links
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b "Blue stones placed across Norwich to honour incredible women". Eastern Daily Press. 2021-03-08. Retrieved 2024-12-20.
- ^ a b c d Russell, Sam (2015-02-25). "Obituary: Barbara Ross - champion of Norfolk's transgender community". Eastern Daily Press. Retrieved 2024-12-15.
- ^ "Transgender awareness book is launched in Norwich | Eastern Daily Press". web.archive.org. 2024-04-19. Retrieved 2024-12-20.
- ^ "Barbara Ross | Deceased Estates | The Gazette". www.thegazette.co.uk. Retrieved 2024-12-20.
- ^ a b c d e f Johns, Olivia (2015-04-08). "Barbara Ross OBE". Oasis Norfolk. Retrieved 2024-12-20.
- ^ a b "Object Details". Queer Norfolk. 2022-09-06. Retrieved 2024-12-20.
- ^ "oasis norfolk". oasis norfolk. 2024-12-12. Retrieved 2024-12-20.
- ^ a b "GENDYS Journal - The Barbara Ross Association Conference". www.gender.org.uk. Archived from the original on 2024-08-05. Retrieved 2024-12-20.
- ^ "Social worker's lifetime mission". Eastern Daily Press. 2007-01-30. Retrieved 2024-12-20.
- ^ "UK Diversity TimelineHome | UK Diversity Timeline". diversitytimeline.co.uk. Retrieved 2024-12-20.
- ^ "Delight for Queen's New Year Honour recipients". Eastern Daily Press. 2010-12-30. Retrieved 2024-12-20.
- ^ "Page 12 | Supplement 59647, 31 December 2010 | London Gazette | The Gazette". www.thegazette.co.uk. Retrieved 2024-12-20.
- ^ "Campaigners call for women's names on Norwich road signs". UEAJournalism.com. 2024-12-14. Retrieved 2024-12-20.
- ^ "The Common Lot - Rename The Streets!". www.thecommonlot.org. Retrieved 2024-12-20.