7 Ways to Be an Ally for Trans and Gender-diverse folks

It’s Trans Awareness Week from November 13-19, ending with Trans Day of Remembrance on November 20. This week is meant to increase understanding about trans and gender-diverse folks and the issues impacting the community.

Now, more than ever, we need allies (including cis queer folks) to take action and proactively support trans and gender-diverse folks.

So, to kick things off we’re sharing 7 ways you can be an ally.

1. Let the trans and gender-diverse folks you care about know you’re thinking of them on tough days like Trans Day of Remembrance on November 20th.

2. Use people’s pronouns and the words they use to describe themselves. If you’re not sure if you should or shouldn’t use some words in certain settings, just ask.

3. Sometimes the best way to be an ally is just to listen to what someone has been going through, if they’re comfortable sharing.

4. Celebrate all the important milestones for trans or gender-diverse folks you care about, even if you don’t quite understand what it all means. Send them a text or card to celebrate things like coming out, changing their legal name, or accessing gender-affirming care.

5. Educate yourself on trans topics from reliable sources and use what you’ve learned to address transphobia and misinformation when you encounter it. If you’re not sure where to start, check out the Resource Hub on our website.

6. Watch movies and TV shows, read books, and listen to podcasts telling trans and gender-diverse stories by trans and gender-diverse creators. 

7. Share your pronouns on social media, in email signatures, and when you meet people so trans and gender-diverse folks aren’t the only ones doing it.