Today, 31st March, is Interntional Transgender Day Of Visibility. This is a day to celebrate transgender people and raise awareness of the discrimination faced by the transgender community around the world.
It also happens to be my transgender daughters birthday. How’s that for a spooky coincidence!
In honour of both of these days, I wanted to draw attention to the importance of being an ally to the transgender community and – perhaps even more importantly – how to be an active ally. Because allyship is about actions, not just words.
You could be forgiven for thinking that in a modern society, in the year 2024, that transgender people wouldn’t need trans day of visibility because they already have equality. But not only would you be wrong – but you don’t even have to look outside of our own country to see evidence of the discrimination the trans community face on a regular basis. In fact our own Prime Minister feels so emboldened in his hateful views, that he very recently stood in the house of commons – in a televised debate, and in the presence of the mother of a murdered transgender teenager – and openly mocked transgender women, calling in to question the very validity of their existence. If this does not speak to the need for urgent changes in the treatment of trans people in this country, I don’t know what does.
Now, more than ever before, trans rights are being attacked right here at home. The recent guidance published for schools encourages teachers to deadname and misgender transgender students, and “out” them to potentially unsupportive family members. Luckily for our family, my daughter is home educated but if she was a school student in the UK right now then her school would be within their rights to refer to her using masculine pronouns that she has not used for 5 years and treat her as a gender she does not and has never identified with. Yet somehow, the government seem to be confused about why the rates of mental health problems and suicide attempts are so high among trans youth….hmm, must be those pesky puberty blockers surely?! (The ones that require a minimum 4 year waiting list and numerous mental health checks to access, but that’s another topic entirely…)
It has never been more important to be an active ally to the trans community than it is right now. But how can you do that? Here are 5 simple, straightforward ways that even the most time-poor of people can be a TRUE ally to the trans community.
- Sign Petitions & Follow Activists
Following trans activists online is one of the easiest ways to stay informed on the issues that the trans community are facing and to be kept informed when your action is needed – often by way of signing petitions to let the government know that there are many of us out here who support trans equality. It takes mere moments of your time, but it can make an enormous difference to the cause.
2. Vote
This really is the most important action of all and I’m sorry if this offends you but the simple truth is…if you’re out there voting tory, you cannot call yourself an ally to the trans community. I understand that there are many factors that go in to choosing which political party vote for but a vote for the conservative party in its current form, is a vote against trans rights. They have made their position extremely clear.
Unfortunately, knowing which party to vote for is no longer straightforward as labour have not been forthcoming with their support for the trans community and Keir Starmer has made some very worrying statements with regards to his stance on things.
Before you vote, be sure to read up on the policies of the parties and candidates you’re voting for and ask your local MPs what their stance on trans rights is before making up your mind. Above all else….do not vote tory.
3. Write to your MP
To advocate for trans rights, writing to your local Member of Parliament (MP) is an effective and important way to express your concerns and seek their support. Start by introducing yourself and explaining why trans rights matter to you personally or to your community. Be clear about the specific issues you want your MP to address, such as legal protections, healthcare access, or combating discrimination.
Using a website such as Write To Them makes it incredibly quick and easy to do.
You may also want to take a look at TheyWorkForYou, which provides information on MPs’ voting records and public statements, to underscore the importance of their stance on this issue. Encourage your MP to take action, whether it’s through supporting relevant legislation, speaking out publicly, or engaging with trans rights organizations. Remember to be respectful and concise in your communication, and follow up to keep the dialogue open. Every voice counts in advocating for equality and inclusivity.
4. Join Stand In Pride
Stand In Pride is a Facebook community which has been designed to help allies and members of the LGBTQ community connect, so that allies can offer help and support in real ways. For example, many members of the LGBTQ community who do not have supportive family members may struggle with important life events such as weddings and graduations. Not having family for events like this can be incredibly difficult – so Stand In Pride allows people to ask for support by way of people coming to “stand in” for those members during these life events!
There are many other ways that support can be offered through the group, whether its simple things like meeting for a coffee and being a listening ear or helping in other ways (I have personally connected with someone about to go through gender reassignment surgery in my area who is without family support, so I have offered to support them through their hospital stay.)
This community is such a wonderful way to show real support to not just the trans community, but the LGBTQ community as a whole – join HERE.
5. Be vocal
This is one of the most simple but effective of all. BE VOCAL with your allyship.
What use is your support if its silent? The truth is that the voices of hate and bigotry are LOUD right now, so the only way to counteract that is to make our voices of love and acceptance louder.
How do you do this? You make it KNOWN that you support trans rights. You share memes that show it, you wear pins that state it, you call out hateful rhetoric when you see it, you show vocal support to trans people and their families whether in person or online.
Being there and being heard is one of the most important things you can do.
If more of us come together to take these actions and show our vocal support for the trans community, then perhaps we’ll get somewhere. I know that I, as a mother, would sleep much more soundly knowing that more people were taking allyship seriously and fighting for the rights of ALL of our children. Are you an ally?