As the holiday season rolls in, a lot of talk centers on celebrating the people in your life. One goal anyone can add to their holiday (and frankly, everyday) priorities? Center and support the transgender men, women, and nonbinary people in your life. Studies report that over one million people in the United States identify as transgender; and as we all know, due to discrimination and risk of violence, many transgender people aren’t entirely out. This is actually a great reason to always be trans-inclusive and affirming: You never know whom you might be helping to feel more at home.
There are obvious—and great—ways of supporting your transgender peers. Donating to transgender-specific groups and nonprofits is a popular one. So is wearing merch, like pins or T-shirts, that display your allyship. Even sharing memes, articles, or emojis on social media can communicate that you’re a friend to the transgender community.
Those are all great, but if you’re looking for other options to support your transgender friends, family, neighbors, and others in your community, the following suggestions might be a good place to start.
As always, everyone is different. Transgender people are not a monolith; what one person appreciates might ring poorly for someone else. Treat everyone as they wish to be treated. Just ask!
1. Share your pronouns
If you’re comfortable sharing your pronouns (“she,” “he,” “they,” “ze,” and beyond), this can be a great way to model for others to the same. You can share your pronouns online, such as in your email signature, in your social media presence, or even in your work profiles. You can also add pronouns when you introduce yourself: Think about every time you might go around in a circle and introduce yourself for work or at a new social event. Smoothly adding in your pronouns can communicate a level of awareness, as well as open up the door so that clarifying your pronouns doesn’t have to be a negative or scary thing.
2. Explore trans-inclusive media and media made by and for trans communities
This suggestion (obviously) works best if you’re trying to support a friend, family member, or partner. Cisgender people are usually centered in books, movies, TV series, and other media. Spend some time digging into the wide range of content made by transgender creators, though, and you’ll probably be surprised by the incredible talent that’s often invisible in the mainstream.
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