United Against Homophobic and Transphobic Hate
The Human Rights Campaign reported that 2021 was the deadliest year on record for trans and gender-nonconforming people, with 57 fatalities tracked. So far in 2022, 11 trans and gender-nonconforming people have been fatally shot or killed by other violent means.
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In additional disheartening news, Bloomberg notes that the number of bills targeting the LGBTQ+ community is also at an all-time high. In fact, as of April 3, Republicans have proposed 325 anti-LGBTQ+ bills, 130 of which target transgender people specifically. In 2021, 27 of the 268 introduced bills made it into law.
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In the face of blatant attempts at erasure, education is paramount. The below resources serve as a jumping off point to get individuals on a path to allyship and understanding.
Resources Against Homophobic and Transphobic Hate
Brave Space Alliance: Request a Workshop
Brave Space Alliance offers a comprehensive suite of training for organizations, groups, collectives, and individuals who are looking to learn. They support individuals and organizations who are hoping to build networks and strategies to dismantle oppression in all forms.
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Human Rights Campaign: Be an Ally - Support Trans Equality
Learning how to be an ally to transgender and non-binary people takes both time and effort. And despite all that you do, you might never feel that you are a perfect ally. That’s okay, because the trans community is diverse and allyship can mean different things to different people. Stay committed, keep learning, and keep going. Here is a checklist of things to do, from beginner steps to some that are more involved.
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Human Rights Campaign: Being an LGBTQ Ally
Every person has their own journey in understanding what it means to support LGBTQ+ people, whether you’re LGBTQ+ or not. We hope this resource can help you begin that journey.
Being an LGBTQ+ Ally is designed to help build understanding and comfort. If you are new to LGBTQ+ issues, we will answer many of your questions. Or, if you have known LGBTQ+ people for years and are looking to find new ways to show your support, you can skim this resource and take the pieces that are relevant to you. It’s ok to not know everything — we’re here to help.
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Human Rights Campaign: Supporting & Caring for Transgender Children
It's natural to have questions about why families choose to affirm their child's gender identity—and how relatives, friends and community members can help. Supporting & Caring for Transgender Children is a groundbreaking resource that explains how families and healthcare professionals are helping transgender children thrive.
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Out & Equal: Practitioners for Change: Intersectional Learning Series Resources
The Intersectional Learning Series is designed to help deepen practitioners’ understanding of, and competency in, key aspects of identity and equity, through curated programs by DEI leaders, both in and out of the corporate space. Racial equity is the foundation of this highly intersectional program. By meeting the needs of DEI practitioners for resources, critical frameworks, and communities of practice, both within and among companies, we know that we will be able to accelerate change and optimize and build the relationships among the functions in the company that focus on people.
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Safe Zone Project: Self-Guided Foundational Safe Zone Training
Gender and sexuality show up in our lives hundreds of times a day. Despite being core aspects of who we are, conversations about these concepts are often hushed or dismissed. This self-guided Safe Zone training will give you an opportunity to explore lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and other marginalized genders and sexualities (LGBTQ+).
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Straight for Equality: 10 Things You Can Do to Be an Ally
Looking for simple ways to start being a more engaged and active ally? Try using a few of these suggestions to build your ally skills and start creating change
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Straight for Equality: Guide to Being a Trans Ally
The conversation about gender identity, expression, and identification is constantly evolving, and there are lots of ways to understand some of the terminology associated with the transgender community and being a trans ally. The explanations and definitions in this publication are just one of many ways to understand the landscape.
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Welcoming Schools: Definitions to Help Understand Gender and Sexual Orientation
When children ask questions about LGBTQ+ words, it is often best to offer simple and direct answers. You might choose to answer a student’s question with another question to figure out what they are really asking -- is it about name-calling, a classmate’s two dads or something they saw on the internet. Listening first helps you respond.
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