Annie Wallace is Sparkle Patron

SPARKLE – THE NATIONAL TRANSGENDER CHARITY WELCOMES ‘HOLLYOAKS’ ACTRESS ANNIE WALLACE AS PATRON

Announcement made at the launch of the charity’s ‘It’s Time to Shine – Because Strong Women Can!’ International Women’s Day project

Sparkle – The National Transgender Charity are proud to welcome actress Annie Wallace as Patron. Annie is best known for her portrayal of headmistress Sally St. Claire on national soap opera ‘Hollyoaks’. Annie is the first transgender person to play a regular transgender character on a British soap opera, and was also the original inspiration for the much-loved character of Hayley Cropper on ‘Coronation Street’

The announcement was made at the launch of the charity’s ‘It’s Time to Shine – Because Strong Women Can’ project to mark International Women’s Day. Trans women from across the community who are furthering Sparkle’s values of acceptance and understanding within society will be photographed for an exhibition which will be held during this year’s Spark Trans Arts Festival.

Annie said “I'm incredibly proud and honoured to be asked to become a Patron of Sparkle, organisers of the largest free transgender celebration in the world, and based in my home town of Manchester. Year after year I've watched Sparkle get bigger and bigger, and become more diverse in the process, hosting events, stage performances, talks and seminars, highlighting the Transgender Day of Visibility and, of course, delivering the Transgender Day of Remembrance service in November. I'm looking forward to working with Sparkle as they move forward with their 2017 events."

Jane Owen, Chair of the Sparkle Board of Trustees, added “Annie is a not only a national television actress, but also a well-known figure in the community who is admired for her advocacy of LGBT+ issues, and her campaigning for trans equality.  Annie has an exceptional platform to promote the work of Sparkle, and our aims and objectives of advancing the understanding of trans, non-binary and gender questioning people within society.”

Published: 23-Mar-2017: (4194)