Today is March 31st, 2021, which means it's the day the whole world celebrates the lives and contributions of transgender people everywhere!
As an openly genderfluid person, today I'm sending all of my love, support, and celebration to my transgender brothers and sisters in the LGBTQ+ community!
If that's you:
Own this day! Celebrate yourself! Take up space! Be seen and heard!
Do this everyday, but especially today!
(and of course always do what feels safe for you. If you don’t feel safe being out and visible, that’s valid and you should listen to that instinct. Just know that I’m over here in my corner of the interwebs celebrating my booty off for you quietly!)
If you're cisgendered and/or not trans:
Today, make sure to put in real, honest effort to celebrate trans individuals in your life and community and help them feel seen, supported, and loved by you.
Here are some ideas to get you started!
- Share art or content from trans creators you follow online
- Learn more about what it means to be transgender and how to be an ally to transgender people
- Educate yourself on transgender health care and the laws surrounding it in your area (this is a sad one, but super important)
- Think deeply about your business and how to make it truly more inclusive to trangender and non-binary people
- 👉 (Heads up: This does NOT mean change “women” to “womxn” in your IG bio. I have a blog post about this in the works. But in the meantime – you’re smart, you can do better than that.)
- If you’re financially able, consider making a contribution to organizations like The Trevor Project and the Sylvia Rivera Law Project
- Check that your pronouns are in your IG bio, Zoom username, Slack handle, and other places online, to normalize sharing pronouns no matter what and help the internet feel safer for those of us who push the binary boundaries
Here are some links I think might be helpful if you’re an ally and want to do the work today and everyday:
A Guide to Being an Ally to Transgender and Non-Binary Youth by The Trevor Project
This is a great beginner resource with ingo that applies to all transgender and non-binary people, not just youth. If this is new turf for you, here’s your 101
Jackson Bird‘s YouTube channel
One of my favorite YouTubers. A trans man who is open and honest about the trans experience, while also being hilarious, compassionate, educational, and entertaining
My IG Stories Highlight about JKR’s Transphobia
Over the years JK Rowling has used anti-trans and TERF (trans exclusionary radical feminist) language online, and last year she tripled down on those views. This is important to be aware of if you’re a Harry Potter fan and are open about that in your business.
Trust me, I’m a walking HP encyclopedia, so this was tough for me, but referencing HP in your content without being explicit about your support of the trans community is super alienating to that segment of your audience.
The Trevor Project
A fantastic national non-profit organization supporting LGBTQ+ youth, particularly focused on crisis and suicide prevention among that population.
With the political scene in the US recently passing more laws against trans health care, trans youth are likely to need this resource more than ever in the coming months and years.
Sylvia Rivera Law Project
A non-profit organization in New York that provides legal support to trans POC, immigrants, and incarcerated people
It's super important for leaders and influencers online to be explicit and actionable in supporting the trans community.
So if you're not already doing it, today I invite you to make that commitment.