A Brief Guide to Amplifying Trans Voices and Advocating for Trans Lives in Sarasota, Florida**
We must do our part in supporting the transgender community in the United States, especially in vulnerable areas like Florida.
This is a challenging time to be a member of the LGBTQ community in general. Hateful obstacles are being thrown in our path to equality in an attempt to erase hard-earned progress. Just this year alone, several hundred anti-LGBTQ laws have been proposed across the nation. A sweeping number of those bills are aimed at transgender rights. 45 bills have already passed legislation.
This is a pivotal moment for all of us. It’s a call to stand together to protect one another, our rights, and our livelihoods. Here are some ways you can not only educate yourself about trans people and their rights but also help support your local LGBTQ community.
A Long History of Transgenderism
Knowledge is power, so let’s start with an LGBTQ Fun Fact.
Trans people are ancient!
And for those in the back … TRANS HISTORY IS ANCIENT HUMAN HISTORY!
The earliest record of the existence of transgender people dates back to around 3000 BCE. In Mesopotamia, the Gala priestesses, who worshiped the goddess Inanna, were well-respected members of the community – and mostly transgender women.
Multitudes of Indigenous Cultures, in North America and worldwide, have long embraced transgender people as valuable members of society. Native Americans use the term Two Spirit for the transgender members of their community, to signify that the creator has blessed them with the spirit of more than one gender.
In India, the Hijra, a community of people identifying as non-binary, have existed for thousands of years and continue to persevere. The same goes for the Muxes of Southern Mexico and the Bakla of the Philippines.
From the 17th-century Spanish lieutenant transman, Antonio de Erauso, to American stagecoach driver, Charley Parkhurst, to modern trailblazers like Marsha P. Johnson and Christine Jorgenson, transgender people have always been an integral part of society.
As activist Riki Wilchins puts it, “It’s not so much that there have always been transgendered people; it’s that there have always been cultures which imposed regimes of gender”.
The National Opinion Research Center estimates that over 2 million transgender people are living in America today. Supporting the transgender community is essential to their survival.
How You Can Help
Locally, nationally, in-person, or virtually – there’s always a way to assist in supporting our local transgender community!
Providing a Safe Space and Listening
Text your trans friends. Tell them they’re awesome. Ask them how they’re doing and then listen without judgment. Let the transgender people in your life share their experiences in a supportive environment.
Whether through monthly meet-ups at an LGBTQ-friendly coffee shop or even just a text check-in, having the opportunity to speak their truth is vital to the transgender community’s health. Letting them know they are seen and heard can make all the difference.
Supporting Trans-Friendly Organizations and Businesses
Sarasota has always been a welcoming place for the LGBTQ community. Multiple local companies and associations offer support and safety for our transgender community members.
The non-profit organization, ALSO Youth, in Downtown Sarasota and Bradenton, provides support and resources for LGBTQ people ages 10 to 24 and has served the community for over three decades. Their drop-in centers – with couches, games, and a lending library – provide a comfortable and safe space for trans support group meetings and other events.
Southwest Florida Trans Support Group provides monthly meet-ups for trans people of all ages. They also offer a support group for family members and loved ones.
Need a check-up? Planned Parenthood is a safe and affirming place for transgender people to receive local healthcare.
Many local businesses display their support for the LGBTQ community with Project Pride SRQ’s Our Business Supports window clings.
Educate Yourself
Learn people’s preferred pronouns and use them. Ask transgender people respectful questions to learn more about their lived experiences. The National Center for Transgender Equality provides an excellent guide on how to ask thoughtful questions.
Understanding the issues that transgender people face can help you know how to support them. Learn about the laws in your state and what they mean for your community.
There are some great resources online to help keep you up to date. The website, Anti-trans bills tracker, documents legislation across the country and provides resources to help you track local bills. Erin in the Morning, run by trans activist Erin Reed, provides almost daily email newsletters with updates, resources, trans history, and more.
Take Action
A poll of Sarasota-area transgender youth found that getting involved is the best way to show support. Volunteering for a local LGBTQ rights organization or attending local rallies are solid options.
Standing up for transgender people when they are misgendered or treated poorly in public and sharing accurate information online are two other ways to take action in the fight for trans equality.
It’s also important to make your voice as a constituent and community member known. Write your congressperson. Vote. Rally peacefully. Sign and share petitions. Every little bit helps.
Supporting our transgender community members means supporting a brighter and more loving future for Florida and the nation as a whole.
**If you’d like to see an article like this tailored to your city, I’d love to help! Contact me here to discuss details.