It is revolutionary for any trans (transgender) person to choose to be seen and visible in a world that tells us we should not exist. ~ Laverne Cox

Over the past couple of years the transgender community has gained a higher level of mainstream exposure. This is in part thanks to the transgender men and women who helped fight for equality at New York City’sStonewall Innriots back in the1960s. They, among many other social influencers, paved the way into popular culture for transgender individuals like Cher’s son Chaz Bono, Laverne Cox on the hit Netflix showOrange is the New Black, as well as activists and authors like Janet Mock, who released last year’sRedefining Realness: My Path to Womanhood, Identity, Love & So Much More.

Awareness of transgender issues recently hit stratospheric heights when former Olympian and Decathlon winner Caitlyn Jenner came out as a transwoman in a historic interview with Diane Sawyer. Her story has prompted conversations in households and workplaces that many folks never had before and left the world with a more intimate understanding of what it means to be transgender.

Undoubtedly, many families are now finding themselves learning how to best support loved ones that identify as transgender.

LGBTQIA+ affirmative therapy can help.Looking for a LGBTQIA+ affirmative therapist? Find an experienced therapistLearn more

LGBTQIA+ affirmative therapy can help.Looking for a LGBTQIA+ affirmative therapist? Find an experienced therapist

LGBTQIA+ affirmative therapy can help.

Looking for a LGBTQIA+ affirmative therapist? Find an experienced therapist

Learn more

I hope this piece will give them, as well as you, some very practical tips on how to do that.

One of the most important things that you can do to best support someone who is transgender or gender nonconforming is to create a safe space for ALL people. Contrary to some critics, transpeople don’t want “special rights” or unsolicited attention. By far, folks who identify as trans want to be seen for the whole of their being, not just their gender identities.

If you would like to further your knowledge about what it means to be trans, there is a lot of information online that you can readily access. Chaz Bono released his documentaryBecomingChazback in 2011. The film, which is currently available on Netflix, explores Chaz’s transition and his relationship with his superstar mother. You may also want to read Janet Mock’s book mentioned above; you can find it in most bookstores.

Along with a wide selection of blogs and websites, there are also some great YouTube channels that feature trans people such asJazz Jennings, who is a 14-year-old transgirl who was once featured on ABC News.A Girl Like Mewith Chloe M is also a great vlog channel for transwomen and families seeking to learn more.Aydian Dowling, a transman and fitness model, also has a YouTube channel and he recently discussed his gender identity and transition on the Ellen show.

Although it’s not your loved one’s responsibility to educate you about all things trans, some people do relish that opportunity. You will get a good sense if they’re open to educating you once you express genuine interest and curiosity in their process. It should be noted that if questions are well intentioned, generally speaking, most people are going to respond favorably.

Preferred gender pronouns or PGPs are ways in which we all identify ourselves, or others in a conversation. For instance, if you were assigned a male sex at birth and identify as a man, you may prefer the terms “he/him/his”.  Whereas if you were assigned a male sex at birth but you identify as a woman, you may want to use female pronouns such as “she/her/hers”. However, a word of caution – some trans or gender nonconforming people may prefer gender terms that you may not consider obvious given how you perceive them, which is why it’s so important to ask someone for their PGPs to avoid misgendering them altogether. Gsafe has a great online resource on gender pronouns that you can findhere.

One of the most powerful ways that you can support trans people is to become an ally for the transgender community. Challenge your other friends and colleagues on their assumptions about gender. Write your local representatives to advocate for fair bathroom access for transpeople in your area.  Participate in local organizations that fight for equal rights.

Hey there! Did you like what you just read? Subscribe today and get weekly posts delivered to your inbox:

Our goal at Talkspace is to provide the most up-to-date, valuable, and objective information on mental health-related topics in order to help readers make informed decisions.

Articles contain trusted third-party sources that are either directly linked to in the text or listed at the bottom to take readers directly to the source.

Share0Tweet0Pin it0

Share0

Tweet0

Pin it0