Just show up

Published about 2 months ago • 1 min read

Sunday afternoon, I gave a talk on "Turning Allyship into Action" for PFLAG Houston. (Big fan of PFLAG. Huge.)

Along with sharing what allyship is and is not, I gave lots of concrete ways for folks to turn their allyship into action.

One way to show your allyship: just show up.

Getting involved in local or state advocacy efforts might seem scary or overwhelming – I get that – but just showing up is the first step.

On my podcast, I’ve asked my transgender guests what allies can do in the fight for trans rights. Almost every single person said some version of: "Show up. We need to know you have our backs."

A friend once said of showing up: it’s ok if you stand awkwardly in the back of some event or meeting. You're THERE. You literally made the first step.

Safety tip: For more public actions like a rally, Pride parade, or showing up at your state capitol, if you’re worried about you or your kid being identified (or doxxed), act like a celebrity! Wear a hat, sunglasses, or a mask (health, Mardi Gras, Halloween, or otherwise). A fan is also an appropriate accessory at any LGBTQ-focused event.

How will you show up?

⭐️ Hey! We have a sponsor! ⭐️

Camp Lilac is a 501(c)(3) non-profit overnight summer camp providing a safe, welcoming space for transgender and gender diverse youth to be themselves in a positive, supportive, youth-focused environment. Campers who stay at Camp Lilac have the freedom to discuss their experiences and identities with people who understand them, alongside just enjoying camp activities and being free from having to explain or justify their existence.

www.CampLilac.org
Camp Lilac Wish List

Mandy Giles
Founder, Parents of Trans Youth

p.s. Want to receive additional emails specific to Texas news and events? Click here!

But wait! There's more! Click here to get on the Houston-area email list.

2808 Caroline St. #103-G, Houston, TX 77004
Unsubscribe · Preferences

Protect trans kids - now more than ever!

Seems like the right time to roll out this design … Created by my kiddo Indigo, this design is available on tees, mugs, and stickers. The tee comes in pink AND black! And for you Texas drag cuties … Indigo also created a “Long Live Texas Drag” design for white and black tees. All sales benefit our programs to support families of trans kids. Order here! Please share this important study! ⭐️ Our sponsor is awesome! ⭐️ Camp Lilac is a 501(c)(3) non-profit overnight summer camp providing a safe,...

3 days ago • 1 min read

Lies, all lies

Yesterday, the Trump administration’s Department of Health and Human Services released a 409-page report on transgender youth health care entitled "Treatment for Pediatric Gender Dysphoria: Review of Evidence and Best Practices." LOTS to unpack in this report, and I honestly haven't had time to read all 409 pages yet, but it mainly advocates for "gender exploratory therapy" (aka conversion therapy) over established gender-affirming medical care for transgender youth. Notably, the report lists...

7 days ago • 1 min read

Humility is key

For allies, increasing our understanding and support of transgender people, including kids, involves a degree of humility. We have to humble that part of ourselves that needs to be right, needs to know, and needs to be in control. And that’s not easy to do. It’s not easy to recognize that what you thought was true about the world maybe wasn’t the entire picture and maybe even wrong. Sometimes we get in our bubbles and have a hard time seeing past our own experiences. It can even be helpful...

10 days ago • 1 min read