A Transgender person is someone whose sex at birth doesn’t match the gender they know themselves to be.

​

Harassment, discrimination, barriers and potential violence are common occurrences in the lives of many transgender people who repeatedly encounter people telling them they have  no right to be who they are.

​

​

Here are key ways you can help:

​

• Accept people for who they are.

Accept how an individual identifies even if it doesn’t make sense to you.  If someone has told you how they identify, don’t continue to make other assumptions about their identity. Avoid comments and attitudes relating to how well or poorly someone “passes”.If you think someone is “really” one sex even though they’ve told you they’re another, you are mistaken.

​

• Use the correct pronouns.

Pronouns matter!  Use the pronoun that corresponds with how the individual identifies.  If you are unsure how a person identifies ASK them..  If you make a mistake, briefly apologize and move on after making a mental note to get it right next time.  If you keep using an incorrect pronoun for the same person, practice at home or with a friend.

​

If a person uses the wrong pronoun when referring to an individual, it is important to correct the person politely then move on with the conversation. 

​

If someone corrects your pronoun use (whether it’s a trans person or an ally), avoid being defensive or expressing your opinion that the individual’s preferred pronoun doesn’t match their gender presentation.  Acknowledge the correction and move on with the conversation.

​

• Don’t “out” or tell someone else that someone is transgender without the transgender person’s specific permission.

This is extremely important for the safety and comfort of trans individuals.

​

• Think before you ask questions.

It’s  not appropriate to ask questions you wouldn’t ask a non transgendered person; such as what sort of genitals they have, how do they have sex,  what was their name before transition, and have they had “The Surgery”. 

​

• Educate yourself.

There are lots of books, websites, films, and workshops. 

​

If you have a respectful, appropriate question, it’s OK to ask  and honor an individual’s right not to answer it. ​​