In The Community
Every year on November 20th, Transgender Day of Remembrance is dedicated to honoring the memory of the trans and gender non-conforming individuals who have lost their lives to acts of violence. According to GLAAD (Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation) Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR) was started in 1999 by transgender advocate Gwendolyn Ann Smith as a vigil to honor the memory of Rita Hester, a transgender woman who was murdered 1998. Smith noted how quckly trans' murders were forgotten about and now necessary it was to not allow people lost to gender violence to be so quickly forgotten.
Beyond remembering those who have been lost to violence, the day also now serves to educate the non-trans community on how to be better allies in everyday life. This includes how to give ongoing support, education, and advocating for trans rights. These 9 examples offer practical, real-world tips on how to be a better ally to trans people, particularly during times that feel very uncertain for trans people in the U.S.
Educate Yourself About Trans Issues
Photo by Denin Lawley on UnsplashOne of the most important things you can do as an ally is to educate yourself about trans identities and the challenges the community faces. Learn the basics of gender identity, the difference between sex and gender, and how terms like transgender, non-binary, and genderqueer fit into the conversation. There are tons of resources out there to help you understand these concepts, and it’s crucial to do your own research so you don’t rely on trans people to teach you.Pro tip: Websites like GLAAD, Transgender Law Center, and Advocates for Trans Equality have excellent resources to get started. The more you know, the better ally you’ll be.
Respect Pronouns and Chosen Names
Photo by Alexander Grey on UnsplashPronouns matter—a lot. Using the right pronouns for someone is a simple but incredibly important way to show respect for their identity. If you’re not sure what someone’s pronouns are, it’s okay to ask politely, and once you know, make sure you use them. The same goes for someone’s chosen name. Misgendering or deadnaming someone (using their birth name when they’ve changed it) can be incredibly hurtful. If you make a mistake, don’t panic. Just apologize, correct yourself, and move forward.
Uplift Trans Voices
Photo by Manny Becerra on UnsplashInstead of speaking for trans people, use your platform—whether it’s social media, your workplace, or your community—to uplift and amplify trans voices. Share articles, art, and content created by trans individuals. Listen to their stories, and make space for their experiences to be heard. Being an ally isn’t about taking up space; it’s about creating space for trans people to be seen and respected.
Pro tip: Follow and support trans activists, creators, and organizations on social media like the The TransLatin@ Coalition, Bamby Salcedo, Carolina Gutierrez, and more.
Stand Up Against Transphobia
Photo by Jon Tyson on UnsplashTransphobia can show up in lots of different ways, from offensive jokes and harmful language to outright discrimination. As an ally, it’s your responsibility to call it out when you see it, even if it’s uncomfortable. Whether it’s a friend making a thoughtless comment or witnessing harassment in public, standing up for trans people is an important part of being an ally. For example, if you hear someone misgendering a trans person, gently correct them. It’s these small actions that help create a culture of respect and support for the trans community.
Support Trans-Led Organizations
Photo by Patrick Perkins on UnsplashThere are so many amazing trans-led organizations doing vital work to support the trans community—whether it’s providing healthcare resources, fighting for legal rights, or offering safe spaces for trans youth. Consider donating your time, money, or even just spreading the word about these groups. Transgender Law Center, The Trevor Project, and Trans Lifeline are just a few of the organizations that could use your support.
Pro tip: You can also look for local trans organizations in your area. Supporting them not only helps the trans community as a whole but also uplifts trans voices and leaders within your own community.
Understand the Intersectionality of Trans Issues
Photo by Meg on UnsplashIt’s important to recognize that not all trans experiences are the same. Trans people of color, especially Black and Latine trans women, face disproportionately higher rates of violence, homelessness, and healthcare discrimination. When thinking about how to be an ally, it’s crucial to keep intersectionality in mind and understand how different aspects of identity—like race, class, and disability—can compound the challenges that trans people face.
Be Mindful of Gendered Language
Photo by Katie Rainbow 🏳️🌈 on UnsplashWe use gendered language all the time without even thinking about it—words like “ladies and gentlemen” or assuming someone’s pronouns based on how they look. To be a better ally, start being more mindful of the language you use. Try using gender-neutral terms like “everyone” instead of “guys” or “ladies.” It might feel awkward at first, but it’s an easy way to create more inclusive spaces.
Pro tip: Normalize sharing your own pronouns in introductions and emails, which helps signal to others that you’re an ally and makes it easier for others to share theirs.
Support Trans Visibility—But Don’t Out Anyone
Photo by Matthew Henry on UnsplashBeing visible as a trans person can be empowering, but not every trans person is ready to share their identity publicly. Never out someone as trans without their permission, as it could put them in an unsafe situation. Respect their privacy, and remember that someone’s gender identity is personal information. If a trans person has chosen to be out, support them and celebrate their visibility, but always let them lead the way on what they want to share with others.
Advocate for Trans Rights
Photo by Samuel Regan-Asante on UnsplashWhile societal attitudes toward trans people are changing for the better, legal protections for trans people still lag behind in many areas. From healthcare discrimination to workplace rights, trans people continue to face challenges that demand allyship. You can advocate for trans rights by supporting legislation that protects gender identity, contacting your representatives, and staying informed about the issues facing the trans community.
Pro tip: Vote for candidates who support LGBTQ+ rights and follow local and national news to stay informed about policies that impact the trans community.
Let’s make every day a day of remembrance, respect, and allyship—because everyone deserves to live in a world where they feel safe and seen for who they truly are.
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Comandanta Ramona
Photo by bastian (Heriberto Rodriguez) on Wikimedia Commons
Comandanta Ramona, born in 1959 in a Tzotzil Maya community in the highlands of Chiapas, Mexico, was a founding member of the Zapatista Army of National Liberation (EZLN), based in the same region. She served as a spokesperson for the group and came to represent the Indigenous resistance movement.
But Ramona's impact extended far beyond her leadership role within the EZLN. As a woman in a male-dominated organization, she challenged gender norms and fought tirelessly for gender equality. She spoke out against gender-based violence and worked to empower women in Indigenous communities, advocating for their participation in decision-making processes and establishing women's cooperatives.
Ramona's contributions to the Zapatista movement were groundbreaking. She helped establish the Revolutionary Law of Women, recognizing women's contributions to the struggle for Indigenous rights and granting them equal rights. She paved the way for women's leadership within the movement through her efforts.
Ramona's legacy as a feminist and Indigenous leader continues to inspire activists and social justice movements worldwide. Although she passed away in 2006 after battling cancer, her spirit lives on in the struggle against oppression, injustice, and discrimination.Rigoberta Menchú
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Photo by Carlos Rodriguez on Wikimedia Commons
Rigoberta Menchú, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate and K'iche' Maya woman from Guatemala, has dedicated her life to advocating for women's and Indigenous rights. Growing up in a family of Indigenous peasants, Menchú experienced firsthand the discrimination and poverty that Indigenous communities face.
Menchú became involved in social justice movements at a young age and joined the Committee of Peasant Unity. This group fought for land rights and the empowerment of Indigenous communities. During Guatemala's civil war, she spoke out against government-sanctioned violence and human rights abuses, becoming a prominent voice for Indigenous women's rights.
Menchú's groundbreaking book "I, Rigoberta Menchú," published in 1983, chronicled her experiences growing up as an Indigenous woman in Guatemala and the struggles faced by her community. The book became an international bestseller, spotlighting Indigenous issues and women's rights in Latin America.
Menchú's advocacy and activism earned her numerous accolades, including the Nobel Peace Prize in 1992. But her work is far from over. She continues to fight for the rights of Indigenous people and women, advocating for issues such as access to healthcare and education, and raising awareness about domestic violence and sexual assault.Lolita Chávez Ixcaquic
Photo by Paula López Reig on Wikimedia Commons
Lolita Chávez Ixcaquic, a K'iche' Maya woman from Guatemala, is a prominent voice in the global fight for environmental and Indigenous rights, defending their land and natural resources against exploitation and destruction.
But her activism has not come without challenges. As a woman in a patriarchal society, Chávez Ixcaquic has faced discrimination, violence, and even death threats for her tireless efforts to promote justice and equality.
But despite these challenges, she has worked to raise awareness about Indigenous women's obstacles, including gender-based violence, discrimination, and lack of access to healthcare and education. She was a finalist for the prestigious Sakharov Human Rights Prize and was awarded the Romero Human Rights Award for her environmental and Indigenous rights activism.
Chávez Ixcaquic's leadership has been crucial in promoting greater participation of women in decision-making processes and leadership positions within Indigenous communities. She has served as a mentor and role model for young Indigenous women, inspiring them to become activists and advocates for their communities.
Guadalupe Vázquez Luna
Photo by koman ilel on Wikimedia Commons
Guadalupe Vázquez Luna is a Mexican activist, artisan, and councilwoman who represents the Tzotzil people in the National Indigenous Congress and is a survivor of the Acteal massacre.
Despite the devastating impact of losing her parents and five siblings in the Acteal massacre, Guadalupe persevered with tenacity and determination. Despite the rampant machismo in her community trying to hold her back, she completed her elementary and secondary education.
Her activism aims to achieve justice for her people, fight against so-called "death projects," and bring attention to the region's problems. On International Women's Day 2018, Vázquez Luna led a group of women from Las Abejas in a protest against the military presence in their communities. She confronted soldiers at the military barracks in Majomut, Chenalho, with a powerful message of unity and respect.
Vázquez Luna's story and that of Las Abejas de Acteal are told in the documentary "Lupita. Que retiemble la tierra," directed by Mónica Wise and Eduardo Gutiérrez Wise in 2019, provides insight into different facets of her life, such as being a mother, a fearless activist, an orator, and a leader.
Berta Cáceres
Photo by UN Environment on Wikimedia Commons
Berta Cáceres was a Honduran environmental and Indigenous rights activist who fought for the rights of women and Indigenous communities in Honduras.
As a member of the Lenca Indigenous community, Cáceres was a prominent leader in the struggle against large-scale development projects that threatened Indigenous lands and resources. She founded the Civic Council of Popular and Indigenous Organizations of Honduras (COPINH), a grassroots organization that advocated for Indigenous rights and environmental justice.
She advocated for the inclusion of women in leadership positions within Indigenous communities and called for greater participation of women in decision-making processes. Cáceres also supported the creation of women's cooperatives and other initiatives to empower women and promote economic development in Indigenous communities.
In 2016, unknown gunmen assassinated Cáceres in her home, sparking international outrage. Her death was widely seen as a result of her activism and the threats she faced for her work defending Indigenous and environmental rights.
Despite her tragic death, Cáceres continues to inspire activists and Indigenous communities worldwide to fight for justice, equality, and the protection of their lands and resources.
Leydy Pech
An Indigenous Mayan beekeeper born and raised in the city of Hopelchén in Campeche, Mexico, Leydy Pech has become a leading voice in the global fight for environmental and Indigenous rights. Her tireless advocacy has brought much-needed attention to the importance of protecting the environment and the rights of Indigenous communities, especially women.
Pech led a coalition that successfully stopped Monsanto, an American agrochemical and agricultural biotechnology company, from planting genetically modified (GM) soybeans in southern Mexico. In November 2015, Mexico's Supreme Court ruled that the government violated the constitutional rights of the Mayan people by not consulting them, canceling Monsanto's permits, and stopping GM soybean planting in Campeche and Yucatán.
Thanks to Pech’s organizing, in 2017, Mexico’s Food and Agricultural Service revoked Monsanto’s permit in seven states, marking a historic move by the government to protect indigenous communities and the environment from GM crops. Pech's leadership has been instrumental in promoting the rights of Indigenous communities to control their own resources and determine their own development. She has been a fierce opponent of large-scale agro-industrial projects that threaten Indigenous lands and resources, such as the use of genetically modified crops.
But Pech's activism goes beyond environmental concerns. She has also been a vocal advocate for women's rights within Indigenous communities, raising awareness about the challenges faced by Indigenous women, including gender-based violence and discrimination. As a beekeeper, Pech has also strongly advocated for the conservation of bees and other pollinators, which play a crucial role in sustaining biodiversity and agriculture.
The work of these six Latin American Indigenous women activists highlights the ongoing struggles and achievements of their communities, and their stories are a reminder of the power of grassroots activism and the importance of continuing to support efforts that uplift marginalized voices.
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