15 Ways to Support Trans People During Anti-Trans Legislation
“I want to support I just don’t know what to do…”
“I don’t want to make it awkward so I just don’t do anything…”
“I had no idea this stuff was going on…”
Over the last couple of weeks, I've heard several non-trans people make these comments. The reality is that you likely work alongside, socialize with, or have family members who identify as trans. Now more than ever, it's crucial to support and advocate for our trans colleagues, friends, and family members, especially given the current legislative climate that poses a threat to their basic human rights and safety. That's why I'm excited to share some practical tips and advice that Chris Angel Murphy and I brainstormed and crowdsourced from trans and nonbinary individuals for being a supportive ally. In this blog, we'll cover ways to ensure that the trans people in your life feel seen, heard, and respected. While these tips aren't foolproof, they do provide valuable guidance and offer ways to provide appropriate support based on your relationship with the tranks folks in your life.
Colleagues:
Name and acknowledge current events/legislation: Simply talking about it is a start! Consider encouraging leadership to publicly denounce anti-trans legislation and affirm their commitment to creating a more inclusive workplace.
Challenge what you hear in the workplace: If you hear someone making insensitive comments or spreading misinformation about trans people, it's important to challenge them. It's important to do this in a respectful and constructive way, while still holding people accountable for their actions.
Organize something: To show your support in a tangible way, organizing an event or activity can be a powerful statement. This could be a moment of silence or a walkout to demonstrate solidarity, or a fundraiser to support a transgender-led organization.
Bring up resources/CTA's in Slack and other work messaging software (as appropriate): It can be helpful to share resources and calls to action with colleagues to help them learn more about the issues facing trans individuals. This could include sharing articles, websites, or social media posts that highlight the experiences of trans people or provide information on how to support them.
Offer to buy coffee or lunch: Sometimes the best way to show support is to simply offer to be there for someone. Asking if you can buy someone coffee or lunch (not necessarily with you!) is a small gesture that can go a long way in showing that you care. However, it's important to remember that not everyone will want to accept this offer, and that's okay. Don't take it personally if someone declines.
Be informed and empathic: It's important to stay informed about the issues facing trans individuals so that you can be a better ally. This means reading articles, following social media accounts, and -if welcomed- engaging in conversations with trans folks to learn about their experiences. It's important to show empathy and offer support in any way you can.
Friends
Educate yourself: If you aren’t trans, it's important to take the time to educate yourself on what it means to be an active ally. This means doing research, reading articles and books written by transgender individuals, and engaging in consensual conversations with folks with lived experience to learn about their experiences. By being informed, you can better understand how to support transgender individuals and be a better ally. To register for the free webinar Talking Points for Active Trans Allyship, click here.
Share information and take visible action: Share information about calls to action or other resources related to trans issues on social media and complete the actions! Sharing, commenting, or reposting these messages can help amplify the voices of transgender individuals and raise awareness about the issues they face. Being an ally means taking direct action which could involve calling lawmakers, attending protests or rallies, donating or volunteering. Click here for ways to take action without the guesswork!
Don’t ask what you can do: Instead of putting the onus on trans people to tell you what you can do to support them, take the initiative to educate yourself and take action. This could involve researching organizations that support transgender individuals, contacting lawmakers to advocate for transgender rights, or participating in protests or rallies.
Check-in without expectations: If you know a trans person who has recently experienced discrimination or violence, checking in with them can be a powerful way to show support. However, it's important to also acknowledge that they may not be ready or able to respond. By including a message that says there's no pressure to reply, you create a safe space for them to reach out if and when they feel comfortable.
Send a comfort food/item: Sometimes a small gesture can go a long way in showing someone that you care. Sending a comfort food or item that they enjoy can help brighten their day and show that you're thinking of them without expecting anything in return.
Ride the wave of emotions together: It's important to create space for trans folks to express their emotions and feelings. This means being willing to listen and offer support when they're sad, mad, or fearful, but also providing opportunities for happy distractions when they need a break from the stress of navigating a world that can be hostile towards them.
Family
(everything above +)
Don’t enable ignorance: This means taking an active stance against any anti-trans sentiments or behaviors that may be present. It's essential to provide education and resources to family members who may be misinformed or lack understanding about the trans experience. This can be achieved by engaging in open and respectful conversations, sharing accurate information from reliable sources, and standing up against any harmful language or actions.
Direct questions to qualified sources: When seeking information about a particular topic, it's important to direct your questions to qualified sources. A qualified source is someone who has expertise or knowledge in the subject matter you are interested in, not your uncle who just has a lot of opinions (we all have one!). By directing your questions to qualified sources, you are more likely to receive accurate and reliable information.
Do the emotional labor of educating other family members: Emotional labor refers to the mental and emotional effort required to perform a particular task or responsibility. If you have family members who hold discriminatory views or beliefs, you can take on the responsibility to educate them on why those views are harmful and unacceptable. This can be emotionally taxing, as it may involve difficult conversations and confrontations. However, by taking on this responsibility, you are helping to create a more inclusive and accepting environment for all family members.
Remember, being a good ally to the trans community is an ongoing process that requires continuous learning, self-reflection, and active engagement. By following these tips and being open to feedback from the trans people in your life, you can help create a safer and more inclusive world for everyone. Let's work together to build a society where trans individuals are not just accepted but celebrated for who they are.
Take Action Today!
Go to Protect Trans Youth page for ways to take action, resources, and suggestions for where to donate your time and money.
Sign up to Speak Up For TDOV: Talking Points for Active Trans Allyship
Join this FREE webinar to explore the impact of anti-trans laws. Learn how to counter opposition arguments, handle misinformation, and support trans folks!
We will cover:
Real-world implications of anti-trans legislation
Responses to arguments the opposition makes
Talking points for personal and professional life
Taking on emotional labor for trans folks
A recording and resource PDF will be available to those who register!
