Now, more than ever, we need to do better to support transgender people and their families through the coming out process, employment, schools, and health care. 

 Supporting a person who is transgender can be displayed by respecting transgender individuals, seeking education surrounding the community, and by standing up/speaking out against jokes, commentary or behaviors that create, or have the potential to create, unsafe environments for transgender people.

Before you can provide support, you need to know what transgender means. It may help you to read Ryan’s interview for the Huffington Post, What Does It Mean to Be Transgender?. This interview covers terminology and identities that may fall underneath the transgender umbrella. It is important to recognize that language and labels take on different meanings to different people, regions, and cultures, so a term that is affirming for one person may feel offensive to another. Listen to the language people use and mirror it when with them. If you are unsure of what a term or word means, ask the person to describe what it means to them.

Coming Out Support

I Support You . . . In Coming Out

When Someone Comes Out To You:

  • When someone comes out to you, thank them for trusting you.
  • Respect confidentiality by asking if they are out to others, and if so, who they are out to.
  • If someone asks you to use a name or pronoun different from their given name and pronoun, use them.
  • If you make a mistake, acknowledge your mistake and apologize.
  • Ask if they have support from other people, if not, discuss safety options.
Family Support

I Support You . . . And Family Members

When You Work with Family Members:

  • Encourage family members to seek their own support systems and therapy. There are many places and organizations that provide family and youth support, such as PFLAG, Gender Spectrum, and Gender Diversity.
  • Listen to family members concerns and fears while validating and supporting the transgender individual.
  • Provide family members with resource lists that include books, documentaries, providers and conferences.

Finding Trans-Inclusive College and University Campuses for Your Transgender Child, (January 2017)

Transgender Support in Schools

I Support You . . . In Education

When You Work with Students:

  • Support, or advocate for, a GSA Student Organization in your school. (Research shows schools with GSAs see decreased levels of LGBTQ youth victimization.)
  • Display symbols such as the I Support You card or Ally card to show you are a safe person, safe place.
  • Have a zero-tolerance policy for bullying and harassment that includes sexual orientation and gender identity/expression.
  • Speak up when you hear a student or faculty member make a homophobic or transphobic comment.
  • Review your curriculums and assess if there are places where lessons on gender identity/expression can be added.
  • Remove gendered language from your materials and when working with students. (For example: Instead of saying “boys and girls” say “students” “everyone” “folks”.)
Trans Inclusion
Stepping Toward a Trans-Inclusive Campus Guide

Navigating Schools in this Time of Disruption for Transgender Students (article by Ryan, 02/24/17)

Can We Adapt Sex Ed for the New LGBT-Inclusive America? (Interviewed by Think Progress, August 2015)

Transgender Support in Health Care

I Support You . . . In Health Care

When You Have a Transgender Patient or Client:

  • Listen to how the patient or client describes their identity and what they are seeking from you as a provider.
  • Seek consultation or supervision if you feel you are in need of assistance to best serve your patient or client. TransLine is a free one-on-one medical consultative hotline sponsored through Project Health.
  • Search for other providers in your area, both medical and mental health that work with transgender patients to create a broader circle of care and connection.
  • Become of member of the World Professional Association for Transgender Healthcare (WPATH).

Creating Trans Affirming Healthcare Centers

Lessons from a Transgender Patient for Healthcare Professionals, (Article Ryan wrote for the AMA Journal of Ethics, November 2016)

Transgender Health: Eliminating Inequalities and Strengthening Clinician-Patient Relationships, (Co-authored article for the Journal of Ethics in Mental Health, 2015)

When You Want to Learn More:

  • Search for transgender conferences or workshops at conferences that address transgender identities.
  • Read memoirs and other books by transgender authors.
  • Watch documentaries or YouTube videos created by transgender people.
  • If you have a close relationship to someone who is transgender, ask if you can speak with them/ask questions. (Recognize that each person’s experience is different.)
I Support You
3 x 3 card (two-sided)
Transgender Support
4 x 2 Sticker

Do You Support Transgender Individuals?

Display your Card or Sticker by ordering through our store.

`I Support You` is a 3 x 3 card (with tips on the back) or a 4 x 2 sticker with the transgender symbol and trans pride colors. It has been created to raise visibility and awareness on the importance of supporting transgender students, employees, clients and patients.

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