Why be an ally and advocate for transgender people? 

According to MaineTransNet, suicide among transgender young adults in Maine has gone up this year. Several reasons are cited on the website including isolation from the pandemic, youth being trapped in unsupportive homes with nowhere to go, negative media around trans people and anti-trans bills being passed. 

A 2015 survey by The National Center for Transgender Equality outlined other hardships faced by trans youth years prior to the pandemic:

80% of youth who were out or perceived as transgender at some point between Kindergarten and Grade 12 experienced some form of mistreatment.

  • 67% were verbally harassed.
  • 26% were physically attacked.
  • 4% were sexually assaulted because of being transgender.
  • 18% faced such severe mistreatment that they left a school.

It does not end at high school: 24% of transgender college or vocational school students were verbally, physically, or sexually harassed because of being transgender.

How can I be a better ally to transgender people?

November is about trans awareness and supporting transgender people. Maine’s trans youth need our support more than ever. 

  • Take the time to learn how to be a better ally. glaad has tips on its website: Tips for Allies of Transgender People.
  • Help raise awareness about issues facing transgender people by participating in Transgender Awareness Week and Transgender Day of Remembrance (see the links below).

Transgender Awareness Week

“Each year between November 13 – 19, people and organizations around the country participate in Transgender Awareness Week to help raise the visibility about transgender people and address issues members of the community face.” – glaad.org. Learn more about Transgender Awareness Week.

Transgender Day of Remembrance

“Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR) is an annual observance on November 20 that honors the memory of the transgender people whose lives were lost in acts of anti-transgender violence.” – glaad.org Learn about Transgender Day of Remembrance.