Yesterday Kevin and I spent the day at the University of Exeter where I was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Laws. Obviously I have known about this for some time, but the university asked me to keep it very much under wraps until the award had actually been made. I’m sure you can understand why.

The staff at the university took incredibly good care of us, including first class rail travel from London to Exeter, and then Exeter to Swansea. This made Kevin very happy. We had the Sunday in Exeter to relax, and then a day of being fêted. The graduation ceremony itself is a little mediaeval, in that everyone gets dressed up in academic robes, but other than that isn’t much different from an award ceremony. I did have to make a speech. It seemed to go down well.

I must admit that, when I first got notification of the award, I assumed that they had got the wrong person. But they insisted that they did mean me. I do have a few friends who are professors at Exeter whom I have worked with, and this may have had some influence on the decision.

I do know that there are many people in the trans community who deserve such recognition far more than I do. However, much of my trans activism has been done in an academic environment, which I guess is how I got noticed. Hopefully other folks will get recognised too in due course.

Somewhat to my disappointment, you do not get your own sonic screwdriver, or a second heart, just for becoming a Doctor. You do get a fancy certificate, and some letters after your name. I won’t be using my title much, except at academic conferences and when harranguing government over trans rights issues.

Anyway, my huge thanks to everyone at Exeter for what was an amazing day. I’m not sure if it has entirely sunk in yet, but I guess I will get used to it.

If you want to see what they said about me, I have a mention in this year’s Graduation Brochure (alongside Caroline Lucas, whom I got to meet again yesterday). And if you really want to see the ceremony itself you can find it here. My bit starts at about 79 minutes in.