Action Over Visibility: How Cis People Can Show Up for Trans Lives

Action Over Visibility: How Cis People Can Show Up for Trans Lives

Visibility alone isn’t enough; action is what truly makes a difference. During Trans Week of Visibility and Action, cis allies need to move beyond performative support and take meaningful steps to uplift, protect, and advocate for trans communities. Trans people deserve rest, joy, and the freedom to exist without constantly fighting for their rights. That’s where cis allies come in. Here are eight everyday actions you can take to support trans people, this week and always.

Educate Yourself 📚

Trans people are constantly expected to explain and justify their identities. Don’t treat your trans friends as Google. Instead, take the initiative to learn on your own.

✅ Read books, watch documentaries, and seek out educational resources created by trans people, particularly trans people of color.
 ✅ Follow trans-led organizations offering training and workshops.
 ✅ Challenge misinformation and be prepared to educate others.

Some great trans-led resources:

    • TransLash Media – A trans-led media platform using documentaries, podcasts, and storytelling to educate and inform.
    • Trans Affirming Training & Consulting – Provides workshops and resources to help individuals and organizations become more affirming. 
    • Brave Space Alliance – A Black- and trans-led organization offering community education, mutual aid, and direct support.
    • Gender Spectrum – Focuses on supporting trans and nonbinary youth by providing education for parents, schools, and professionals. 
    • Forge – Offers training and resources for service providers, particularly around supporting trans survivors of violence.
    • Black Trans Advocacy Coalition (BTAC) – Uplifts Black trans voices through advocacy, education, and direct community support. 

These organizations are led by trans people and work tirelessly to provide education, training, and direct aid. Follow, support, and share their work!

2. Celebrate Trans Joy 🌈

Trans people are more than just trauma and struggle—we thrive, create, and experience joy, too.

✅ Uplift trans voices, art, and achievements.
 ✅ Share stories of trans success, creativity, and happiness.
 ✅ Show the world that trans people don’t just exist, we flourish.

Supporting trans people means amplifying their voices, stories, and work.

Follow and engage with these incredible trans creators:

    • Raquel Willis – Black trans activist, writer, and author of The Risk It Takes to Bloom.
    • Imara Jones – Founder of TransLash Media, journalist, and policy expert. 
    • Amazeen "Blizzy" Beatty – Black trans advocate, organizer, and storyteller. 
    • Tiq Milan – Black trans author, public speaker, and thought leader on gender justice.
    • Venus Cuffs – Afro-Latinx trans educator, sex work advocate, and entrepreneur. 
    • Alok Vaid-Menon – Nonbinary South Asian writer, artist, and speaker dismantling gender norms.

3. Get Involved in the Fight for Trans Rights ✊

Anti-trans legislation is at an all-time high, and silence is not an option. Staying informed about the latest anti-trans legislation is crucial in order to take effective action. Many states are pushing harmful laws that affect trans people, including laws targeting healthcare, education, and access to public spaces. Here’s how to stay up to date:

✅1. Stay informed about anti-trans bills in your area.

    • Track Anti-Trans Legislation: 
    • Follow News Outlets & Advocacy Groups:
    • Stay Engaged with Local News: Regularly read local news and follow your state’s official government websites. This is where local anti-trans policies are often introduced.

✅2. Contact your representatives and demand action

Taking action by contacting your elected officials is one of the most direct ways to push for change. Representatives and senators need to know that their constituents care about trans rights. Here’s how to engage with them effectively:

    • Find Your Elected Representatives: 

      • You can look-up contact information for your local, state, and national representatives. 

    • Make Your Voice Heard:

      • Phone Calls & Emails: Call or email your representatives to express your concerns about anti-trans legislation and urge them to support trans-inclusive policies.

        • Example Script: “Hello, my name is [Your Name], and I am a constituent in your district. I am concerned about the recent anti-trans bill [insert bill name/number] that targets trans youth and restricts access to healthcare. I urge you to oppose this bill and take action to protect trans rights in our state/country.”

      • Social Media: Tag your representatives in social media posts to publicly ask for support on trans issues. You can often find your representative’s official social media handles on their websites.

      • Letter-Writing: Write a formal letter outlining your concerns. Personalized letters are powerful, and many officials pay attention to them more than emails or calls.

✅ 3. Support organizations fighting for trans rights

Organizations that fight for trans rights are on the frontlines of protecting and advancing trans equality. Supporting these organizations through donations, volunteering, or spreading awareness is crucial.

Donate to Trans-Led Organizations: Many organizations fighting for trans rights are trans-led, meaning they are driven by the community’s needs and experiences.

4. Be an Upstander, Not a Bystander 🗣️

When you witness transphobia, don’t stay silent.

✅ Speak up when you hear anti-trans rhetoric.
 ✅ Correct people who misgender or deadname trans individuals.
 ✅ Support trans people facing discrimination and let them know they’re not alone.

If it’s safe to do so, intervene in public situations by:

    • Addressing the trans person directly and offering support.
    • Distracting or de-escalating the situation.
    • Calling out discrimination when you see it.

5. Donate Directly to Trans People 💸

Large nonprofits don’t always distribute funds directly to those who need them. Prioritize donating to mutual aid and trans-led initiatives.

Here are a few Black trans-led mutual aid funds to support:

    • For The Gworls – Helps Black trans folks with rent and gender-affirming care.
    • Trans Housing Coalition – Supports trans people experiencing homelessness.
    • Transgender Emergency Fund – Provides emergency financial assistance to transgender people in need, particularly for those facing discrimination or violence.
    • Black Trans Travel Fund – Supports Black trans people with travel costs for healthcare, legal issues, and other needs.
    • The Okra Project – Provides home-cooked meals and resources to Black trans people, focusing on nourishment and support. 
    • Transgender Support Fund – Offers financial assistance for transgender individuals navigating transition-related expenses.
    • House of GG Mutual Aid Fund – Supports the safety, health, and well-being of trans women and trans femmes through direct financial aid. 
    • The Black Trans Fund Collective – Aims to distribute funds directly to Black trans individuals and communities in need.

6. Create Safe Spaces for Trans People 💙

Everyone deserves a space where they can exist without fear of discrimination. If you’re creating spaces in your community, whether physical or digital, be intentional about making them safe and welcoming for trans people.

✅ Use inclusive language.
 ✅ Respect people’s pronouns and names.
 ✅ Create clear anti-discrimination policies and enforce them.
 ✅ Provide training for staff and volunteers on trans issues and cultural competency.
 ✅ Educate others on the importance of gender inclusivity and allyship.
 ✅ Offer gender-neutral facilities (e.g., bathrooms, changing rooms).
 ✅ Regularly ask for feedback from trans individuals in your community to improve the space.

Together, we can create a world where all trans people feel seen, respected, and valued.

7. Share Trans Voices & Stories 🗣️


Help lift up the stories and experiences of trans people. Support creators, writers, and artists telling trans narratives. Trans-led media allows us to tell our stories, reclaim our experiences, and build community.

Representation matters. Make sure the content you engage with includes authentic trans voices.

✅ Follow trans creators on social media.
✅ Watch movies & TV with trans actors playing trans roles.
✅ Read books & listen to music by trans artists.

Recommendations:

🎬 Movies & TV 

    • Disclosure: Trans Lives on Screen(2020): A powerful documentary exploring the portrayal of transgender people in media and the impact on societal perceptions.
    • Pose (2018–2021): A groundbreaking series that showcases the lives of Black and Latinx LGBTQ+ individuals in the 1980s and 1990s ballroom culture.
    • Tangerine (2015): A gritty, yet heartwarming story about two trans women on a mission in Los Angeles on Christmas Eve, exploring friendship and resilience.
    • The Garden Left Behind (2019): A heartfelt drama about a trans woman navigating her transition while dealing with family, love, and immigration challenges.
    • Kokomo City (2023): A bold documentary featuring Black trans sex workers, focusing on their experiences, empowerment, and resilience.

📚 Books

🎶 Music

8. What’s Next? 

Supporting trans people isn’t just for one week, it’s a lifelong commitment.

✅ Keep learning, keep advocating, and keep showing up.
✅ Continue donating to mutual aid funds.
✅ Use your privilege to amplify trans voices and push for policy change.
✅ Show up for trans people year-round, not just when it’s convenient.

Most importantly, don’t stop taking action. Trans people deserve a world where they can live freely, safely, and joyfully. Let’s make it happen together.

Let’s turn visibility into action. Trans lives depend on it!

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