Celebrate Trans Awareness Week: November 13-19, 2021
Our agency is a proud ally of the transgender community - but our nation has a long way to go in understanding and accepting this beautiful community. So far, 2021 marks the deadliest year on record for our transgender friends and family members. Trans Awareness Week sees organizations and allies bring visibility and support to transgender people and an awareness of issues the community faces. Even though we celebrate transgendered people this week, they need for all of us to be allies every day of the year.
The Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLADD) offers these tips for allies of Transgender People:
- You can’t tell if someone is transgender just by looking. Don’t make assumptions about a transgender person’s sexual orientation.
- If you don’t know what pronouns to use, listen first.
- Don’t ask a transgender person what their ‘real name’ is.
- Understand the difference between ‘coming out’ as lesbian, gay, or bisexual and ‘coming out’ as transgender.
- Be careful about confidentiality, disclosure, and ‘outing.’
- Respect the terminology a transgender person uses to describe their identity.
- Be patient with a person who is questioning or exploring their gender identity.
- There is no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ way to transition, and it is different for every person.
- Don’t ask about a transgender person’s genitals, surgical status, or sex life.
- Help make your company truly trans-inclusive and implement policies that help them.
- At meeting and events, set an inclusive tone.
Transgender people have existed across cultures and throughout time. Being a true transgender ally can help accelerate acceptance and keep friends and family safe.
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