“That early transition time is very stressful, very difficult. I had a long-term relationship end as a result, worrying about housing and money with only one income; that was a real challenge,” they explain.
“Football played a really important role for me in being that outlet where I could just go and kick a ball about and not worry about stress,” she continues. “But also, it was a good way of meeting new people. Football clubs in England are pretty central to the community, aren’t they?”
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Football also found its way back into Paula Griffin’s life unexpectedly. The trans goalkeeper, who plays for Clapton Community FC, Peckham Town FC, and the trans-inclusive club Goal Diggers FC, re-joined the game after recovering from bladder cancer.
“Until I joined Goal Diggers, I hadn’t played for about 15 years,” Paula tells me. “Because of my health and gender identity, I stopped playing. Then after the pandemic, after my cancer, after my transition, I didn’t think I’d ever play football again.”
For Paula, the community aspect of football was what kept her going throughout her transition and cancer recovery, from which she’s now cancer-free. “I’ve achieved so much in my gender journey thanks to the people at Goal Diggers, but also within women’s and non-binary football. I’ve made so many friends and allies over the last few years. It’s genuinely humbling.”
Last month, Paula received a letter from the FA stating she has a permanent exemption to play on women’s teams after undergoing her gender affirming surgery, as she will no longer produce testosterone.
But the latest communication she received from the organisation about the ban is a far cry, to say the least. “Now, to actually have that turned on its head because of the knee-jerk reaction by the FA is heartbreaking.”
In the days that followed, Paula found herself walking 12 miles from her training ground in Haggerston, Hackney, to the FA headquarters in Wembley among her teammates, members of the LGBTQIA+ community and allies to deliver an open letter urging the organisation to rethink its decision.