Trans Activist & Green Party's Ash Jones speaks to Belfast Live

A transgender woman standing for election in West Belfast has said she hopes to champion equality for all minority groups.

Ash Jones, a trans rights activist and punk musician, is the Green Party's candidate for the Colin area in May's council elections.

The 25-year-old opened up about coming out as transgender and told of the discrimination and street harassment she has faced.

She shared her experiences to coincide with International Transgender Day of Visibility, which aims to raise awareness of issues affecting trans and non-binary people.

Ms Jones said becoming the first out trans elected representative on the island of Ireland would send a clear message that "Belfast supports equality".

"What I've always said from my music through to politics is that if one young trans person feels less alone as a result of what I've done, then I've done well," she added.

Ms Jones fronts local punk band Strange New Places and her job involves helping people with disabilities access the arts sector.

She said she hoped her campaign would help build "momentum around inclusiveness and accessibility for minorities of all sorts, not just trans people".

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