Trans Collective Calderdale

What can allies do?

There are many things allies can do to help trans people. Here are a few suggestions:

  1. Write to your MP. Start off by expressing concern about the the EHRC guidance (template here)
  2. Write to the prime minister asking him why he won’t safeguard trans people’s rights. (Trans Actual have this page about writing to the Prime Minister here)
  3. Keep writing. Write every month. Keep pushing them to respect trans rights. Keep trans rights in their inboxes.
  4. Speak out against any policies of discrimination, segregation or exclusion of trans people in your workplace. Such policies will only work if people collaborate with them. People are stronger together; don’t leave trans+ colleagues isolated & vulnerable.
  5. Check in on trans+ people you know. They may not be ok, particularly if the latest attack on their existence is in the news.
  6. If you feel able, support trans people to access spaces consistent with their gender. Accompanying someone to the toilet might help keep them safe.
  7. If you feel safe and confident to do so, deploy ‘chaff’ – wear trans badges, t-shirts, patches etc. highlight how unclear it is who’s trans or not. This also shows solidarity & sparks conversations.
  8. Call out (and call in where appropriate) people expressing transphobic views, telling transphobic jokes etc. Don’t just let things go, challenge them.
  9. Educate yourself. The UK media is mostly openly hostile to trans people. The BBC, the guardian, the times, the telegraph, the daily mail etc present a highly distorted picture designed to seed prejudice. Some resources are here
  10. If you can afford it, donate to trans run organisations. There are several support charities in the links section who always need funds. You could donate to the Good Law Projects fighting fund to help fight for trans rights in the courts. https://goodlawproject.org/crowdfunder/fighting-fund-for-trans-rights/ Trans people don’t have vast media empires, American right wing conservative lobby groups or multi-millionaire children’s authors backing them, unlike those fighting to strip us of our rights.