🏳️‍⚧️ Every-day ways to be a Trans+ ally

16 Days of Activism:

Nov 26, 2025

This 16 Days of Activism, I wanted to share some every-day ways you can be a Trans+ ally that you can start doing right now!

Whenever I deliver a workshop on inclusion and allyship, folks always ask ‘but how can I show up as an ally every-day? Don’t I need a big moment or event?’ and the answer is no, you don’t need a huge display of allyship. Activism comes in many sizes and capacities, so I wanted to provide some easy ways to be an ally that everyone can adopt into their every day life!

Of course, I would recommend that everyone goes beyond this list to be an ally to Trans+ people - particularly right now - but these are great starters for those who are unsure of how to show up for the Trans+ community:

Normalise sharing your pronouns

It may seem small, but sharing your pronouns in every day conversations and via your social media and email signatures can make Trans+ folks feel more comfortable sharing theirs. This can be as easy as including your pronouns when speaking to someone new, or adding them to your emails and signatures.

Don’t make assumptions

Avoid making assumptions about someones gender, sexuality and/or relationship. For example, use ‘partner’ over ‘boyfriend’ or ‘girlfriend’ - unless you know what someone calls their partner and don’t assume how someone identifies based on their appearance.

Trans+ policies

Check that your workplace and/or school has Trans+ policies that support and protect staff/students. If the policies are outdated, bring this to the attention of someone who can update them. Also check your online forms to see how inclusive they really are.

Attend Trans+ events (big or small)

Attending Trans+ pride every year is great, but what would be even better is if you attended smaller, grassroots Trans+ events to support your local Trans+ community. Follow some smaller Trans+ creatives and campaigns to keep in the loop with the latest Trans+ events, and when you do see one, share it to your friends and stories.

Diversify your social media feed

This one is super easy: follow, like, re-share and comment on some Trans+ creatives profiles to help diversify your feed. I recommend not only following the ‘bigger’ household names, but small Trans+ creatives who are working every day to support the community.

Support Trans+ authors and diversify your library

Whether you’re a student, a librarian, or just a book-lover, diversify your book shelves with Trans+ books written by Trans+ authors. You can also donate of gift Trans+ books to those who may need them.

Educate yourself

It isn’t the responsibility of Trans+ people to educate you on Trans+ issues. Instead embrace your own learning journey and get stuck into some Trans+ history and news using Trans+ respectable outlets.

Speak out even if there isn’t a Trans+ person in the room

It can be easy to show your allyship when surrounded by Trans+ folks, but being an ally in all spaces, even ones without a Trans+ person in the room, is vital.

Call out any discriminative behaviour your see

Whether it’s a social media post, or a ‘casual comment’ or ‘joke’, educating others on why what they have said is inappropriate and what they should say instead is important.

If you don’t know, ask

If you’re unsure of someones pronouns, or what an identity means, simply ask! Of course - don’t bombard that one Trans colleague with questions, but if there is an opportunity, why not take it!

If you make a mistake ‘catch it, correct it’

Mistakes happen to all of us, but what can make it worse is if someone over apologies for their mistake. Instead, catch your mistake, correct yourself, and move on.

Practise makes perfect

Getting used to pronouns you’ve never used before can be tricky - but as with everything, practise makes perfect. Try using different pronouns in sentences in your own time.

Understand your own identity

Before you can understand someone else’s, it’s a really good idea to understand your own. How you connect with gender, and how someone else may not. You could take some time to explore what being a man or a woman means to you, how your appearance reflects your identity, and how pronouns feel to you.

Engage with Trans+ media

Pop on a Trans+ movie, directed by a Trans+ individual, or attend small theatre films.

Understand that Trans+ people are more than just Trans+

Understanding intersectionality and how folks identities interconnect helps you to become a better ally, not only to Trans+ people, but all Trans+ people.

Be kind… duh!

Treat Trans+ folks how you treat everyone else! It’s as easy as that, be kind, respectful, and welcoming.

What other simple acts can folks do to be a better ally in every day life? 👇 Let me know below and I will reply yo every comment AND share them on my story! @s3xtheorywithdee ♥️