Why Allyship Matters More Than Ever

The world is shifting, and conversations about gender diversity are becoming more prominent—but with progress comes resistance. Trans and gender-diverse people continue to face significant barriers to healthcare, safety, and acceptance. True allyship means more than just stating support; it requires action, advocacy, and a commitment to challenging harmful systems.

Right now, as anti-trans policies continue to gain traction across the United States, we are more grateful than ever for the allies who stand with us. In a time when access to gender-affirming healthcare is being restricted, trans youth are under attack, and our very existence is being debated in courts and legislatures, having vocal, committed allies means everything. 

Your support—whether it’s advocating for policy change, amplifying trans voices, or simply showing up in solidarity—helps create spaces of safety, dignity, and affirmation. True allyship isn’t just about words; it’s about action, and we see and appreciate everyone who is fighting alongside us. Thank you for being here.

In this guide, we’ll explore how you can be a good ally in your personal life and work, providing clear, actionable steps to create truly inclusive spaces.

Understanding Trans and Gender-Diverse Identities

The Basics of Gender Diversity

Many people are raised with a binary understanding of gender (male or female), but the reality is far more expansive. Trans and gender-diverse people have identities that may not align with the sex they were assigned at birth, and their experiences are shaped by culture, environment, and access to resources.

Key terms to know:

• Transgender- Identifying with a gender different than the one you were born with. 

• Cisgender- Someone whose gender identity aligns with one’s assigned gender at birth. 

• Assigned gender at birth- what the medical staff determined your (probably binary) gender to be when you were born using an antiquated genital measuring system.

• Gender diverse- An umbrella term for anyone who is not Cis.

• Trans-integral- Workplace or organizational structures which think of gender diversity at the forefront of the needs of the organization. 

• Medical transition- Medical procedures and medicine which someone may choose to affirm their gender. Can be reversible or nonreversible, and don’t always have an end goal of “changing gender.”

• Non-medical transition- Other supports and tools used to affirm someone’s gender, which may be used alone or in tandem with medical options to help a person feel affirmed and aligned in their gender. 

• Gender-affirming (GA)- Any process or tool that helps someone feel more aligned with the way they see themselves in their gender, allowing for greater  expansion of their gender expression. 

• Gender dysphoria- The experience of feeling misaligned or uncomfortable with the state of gender experienced in the body. Not liking what you see in a mirror or feel in the body, not feeling like you want to look or be perceived.

• Gender  Euphoria- The experience of “gendergood” when you feel like your insides match your outsides. Feeling like your body shows off your internal gender expression, that others see you in the way you want to be seen. 

Gender Affirmation for Is For Everyone

Did you know that all people experience gender affirmation, including cisgender individuals? Gender affirmation refers to any practice that aligns one’s external presentation with their internal sense of self.

Common gender-affirming practices include:

• Medical: Hair transplants, metabolic steroids, plastic surgery, breast impants, hormone treatments.

• Non-medical: Makeup, shaving, push-up bras, tattoos, vocal training, clothing choices.

As an ally, take a moment to reflect: What gender-affirming practices do you already use? Recognizing this helps create empathy for the ways trans people affirm their identities, too.

The Importance of Gender-Affirming Care

As an ally, it is important to realize that gender-affirming care is life-saving—full stop. Studies show that access to gender-affirming medical and non-medical interventions drastically reduces rates of depression, anxiety, and suicidality among transgender and gender-diverse individuals, especially youth. 

When people are able to align their bodies, voices, and presentations with their identities, it fosters a sense of authenticity, well-being, and belonging. Denying this care doesn’t just make life harder; it actively harms trans people by increasing distress and vulnerability. 

Types of gender-affirming care:

• Medical: Hormone replacement therapy (HRT), gender-affirming surgeries, hormone blockers.

• Non-medical: Prosthetics, wigs, vocal training, makeup, gender-affirming clothing like binders and gaffs.

Everyone deserves the right to exist in a body that feels like home, and ensuring access to gender-affirming care is not just a matter of healthcare—it’s a matter of survival. These forms of care are essential to the health and wellbeing of trans and gender-diverse individuals, and should be supported, not restricted. 

Take a moment to reflect: Do you believe that people deserve to feel good in their bodies and gender? In what ways are you allowed the privilege to feel good in your body that’s denied to gender-diverse people?

The Challenges Trans People Face Today

The State of Trans Healthcare and Rights

There are so many things to pay attention to in the news right now, but as an ally, one of the main things you should know is that across many regions, trans rights and access to healthcare are under relentless attack. In the United States and beyond, lawmakers are pushing policies that restrict or outright ban gender-affirming care. 

Misinformation fuels harmful narratives, often labeling gender-affirming care as harmful, despite things like medical evidence that shows regret rates are under 1% for transition-related medical surgery. These attacks are not based on science or concern for well-being—they are driven by misinformation and political agendas that seek to erase and delegitimize trans lives. 

From bans on hormone therapy and puberty blockers to restrictions on legal name and gender marker changes, these policies create dangerous barriers that force many trans people into hiding or seeking care through unsafe means. 

The consequences are devastating: increased mental health struggles, higher rates of self-harm, and even loss of life. Now more than ever, we need your support and collective action to push back against these injustices and protect the rights and dignity of trans people everywhere.

Take a moment to reflect: Are there any legitimate reasons to deny consenting adults access to the gender-affirming services that support their mental health and wellbeing? If your answer is yes, what personal prejudices may you have that make you feel like that?  

The Intersection of Medical and Non-Medical Gender Affirmation

As an ally, it is important to realize that not all trans or gender-diverse people have the same needs, access or situation. For instance, not all trans people can access medical transition due to financial, legal, or safety concerns. As a result, non-medical transition options become even more crucial. Factors like race, immigration status, disability, and income further impact access.

The intersection of medical and non-medical gender affirmation is deeply personal and shaped by factors like safety, access, cost, and individual comfort. Many navigate a combination of both medical interventions and non-medical affirmations, adjusting their choices based on their environment, financial means, safety needs, or the legal restrictions in their region. 

For example:

• A transfeminine person may choose not to wear a gaff at home but will use one at work, because “passing” becomes a matter of safety.

• A non-binary person might adjust their gender presentation depending on their environment to avoid discrimination.

The ability to affirm one’s gender—whether through medical or non-medical means—is not a luxury; it is a vital aspect of well-being and self-determination. Access to both must be protected and respected, as they are equally essential in supporting trans people’s right to live authentically.

Take a moment to reflect: What makes it easier for trans people to exist as their authentic selves in different spaces? What are some ways you can support those different needs?

How to Support Trans People in Everyday Life

Practical Ways to Support Someone’s Gender Transition

Supporting someone’s gender transition or presentation goes beyond just acceptance—it’s about taking meaningful actions and showing up in tangible ways that make their journey easier and safer. 

Here are some ways how you can actively support the trans and gender-diverse people in your life:

• Use correct names and pronouns without hesitation or questioning (and introduce your own to normalize sharing).

• Accompany them to gendered spaces (bathrooms, doctors’ offices, etc.) if requested.

• Provide safety and reassurance in environments that may feel hostile.

• Advocate for gender-neutral bathrooms in public spaces and workplaces.

• Advocate for inclusive workplace policies.

• Listen to what they ask for (don’t assume you know what they need), and hold judgement-free listening space if someone needs to talk. 

• If you have questions about something regarding gender-diverse space, do some research to understand the issue, and don’t rely on the marginalized people in your life to educate you for free.

• Uplift trans voices by sharing their stories, fundraisers, and calls to action.

• Vote against anti-trans policies and show up to protests.

Most importantly, remember that transition looks different for everyone—there’s no right or wrong way to be trans, and no one owes you an explanation of their choices. Your role as an ally is to listen, affirm, and stand beside them in their journey, every step of the way.

Take a moment to reflect: Do you feel that you have educated yourself to understand the needs of the gender-diverse people in your life? In what ways do you still feel some judgement, confusion or resistance?

How to Support Gender-Inclusive Policy In The Workplace: 

Advocating for policy change starts with recognizing that trans rights are human rights. If you want to create lasting change, push for policy updates in workplaces, education, and government.

Here are some ways how you can actively support the trans and gender-diverse people in your workplace:

• Implement gender-inclusive HR policies.

• Make space for diverse voices in decision-making.

• Educate staff on what it means to be an ally.

• Support policies that normalize gender-neutral language.

• Offer gender-neutral restrooms.

• Remove unnecessarily gendered categories on things like forms.

• Offer benefits that include medical and non-medical transition care.

• Allow staff to update names and pronouns without barriers, and normalize gender-neutral honourifics like "Mx."

• Offer safe spaces where people can go if they feel uncomfortable.

• Challenge gendered assumptions in business and marketing. 

On a broader scale, stay informed about legislation impacting trans rights, vote for candidates who support LGBTQ+ protections, and contact lawmakers to demand fair policies. Protests, petitions, and community organizing also play a crucial role in resisting harmful laws and advocating for justice. Policy change isn’t just about legal documents—it’s about creating a world where trans and gender-diverse people can exist freely, safely, and with dignity.

Take a moment to reflect: How do the current policies in your workplaces or public spaces support gender-diverse individuals? Is there more that can be done to make individuals feel valued and safe?

Thank You For Being Here

Allyship is a journey, not a destination. It requires continuous learning, reflection, and action. By supporting trans and gender-diverse people in daily interactions, pushing for policy changes, and challenging harmful systems, you can create safer, more inclusive spaces for us all. 

Take the next step:

• Follow and support trans-led organizations.

• Donate to mutual aid funds or community programs.

• Share resources and uplift trans voices.

• Implement these changes in your workplace and community.

True allyship isn’t about being perfect, and we’re so grateful that you’re here to support us. Thank you. And together let’s build a world where gender diversity is not just accepted but celebrated!