tips for non trans people & allies (author unknown)

- Don't ask someone what their old name is or about their surgical status. If you know their old name, donŐt use it unless the person tells you that they want you to.

- Be unashamed of saying "I know/sleep with/etc. a transsexual/transgender/gender variant person" when the topic comes up outside of transsexual, GV, and transgender circles.

- Treat transsexual, GV, and transgender peoples' experience with the dignity and respect you'd show any person.

- Show respect when asking questions, and realize that some questions are inappropriate to ask some people.

- If you invite a transsexual, GV, or transgender person somewhere, make sure it is a place that they are allowed to go.

- DonŐt call yourself an ally if you are planning an event that has special rules for transsexual, GV, or transgender folks.

- Understand that if you donŐt know someone, you probably donŐt know what being transsexual, GV, or transgender means to them.

- DonŐt say you are trans inclusive if you are not. Organizations often add a T to the end of their LGB, but then when you go to the event, organizers are inconsiderate about transsexual/transgender presence.

- Don't tell transsexual, GV, or transgender people that they are the Ňbest of both worldsÓ or that they are sexy just because they are transsexual, GV, or transgender.

- If you find yourself saying "I know this isn't my space, but..." a lot, then take your own hint and butt out.

- Don't get put off when transsexual, GV, or transgender people aren't open about their trans-ness to the whole world.

- Don't assume that it is every transsexual, GV, and transgender personŐs ultimate goal in life to challenge YOUR binary gender system. Do it yourself. Challenging binary gender systems isn't always the same thing as being transsexual/transgender/gender variant.

- Always use the pronoun that the person wants you to use. If you make a mistake, correct yourself. Politely correct others if they use the wrong pronoun.

- Do your own research. Don't ask individual transsexual/transgender/ gender variant people to explain everything to you.

- When somebody who hasn't been exposed to transsexual/transgender/ gender variant issues makes a rude comment, correct them in the nicest way possible.

- Transsexual, gender variant, and transgender peopleŐs genitalia are not a topic of discussion unless the person wants them to be.

- Don't pretend to understand terms that you really don't. Be honest about what you know and what you don't know.

- Don't support organizations, businesses and people who you know marginalize transsexual, gender variant, or transgender people.

- If you're with a transsexual, gender variant, or transgender person somewhere that you're not sure is a safe space, don't bring up transsexual/transgender/ gender variant issues.

- If a transsexual or transgender person is talking about transphobia, donŐt tell them to calm down and look at things from your non-trans perspective, they have to do that enough.

- You cannot be a "trans-ally" and need "one week a year of separate spaceÓ.

- When explaining transsexual, gender variant, or transgender issues to other people, think of the way these things were explained to you. Think about what made sense and what didnŐt, and how the person could have explained it better.

-DonŐt assume what path someone is on with regard to hormones or surgery.

 

HOME | TOONESBIO | TIMELINE | CONTACT