Your Guide to Being Trans-Inclusive This Pride Month and Beyond
The movement towards accepting and loving who you are is spreading like wildfire. More than 250,000 adults in the U.S. identify as transgender, and that number continues to grow as gender becomes a more nuanced, fluid topic in our society. It’s important to discuss how to best show support and inclusivity for the trans community during these difficult times where they are being harassed for simply being who they are. As politicians in the U.S. continue to target transgender youth and adults with harmful legislation, now is a critical time to show support for our trans friends and family, both personally and professionally.
While your brand’s support should be especially clear during Pride Month, it should also extend beyond June to your campaigns and messaging throughout the entire year. There are many steps you can take, both in your everyday life and in your content, to show support to transgender people and ensure they feel included in the conversation. Here, we’ll discuss the importance of sharing your pronouns, learning the right terms, and respecting privacy to foster an inclusive, welcoming tone for personal and professional use.
Share your pronouns
A big part of creating a safe space for the trans community is mastering the art of respectfully identifying pronouns. While asking for someone’s pronouns is a great step to take, it can sometimes make transgender people feel like they are being put on the spot. Instead, consider introducing yourself with your pronouns: “Hi, I’m Loren and I use she/her pronouns. What’s your name?” Always leading with your pronouns when you meet new people is an implicit way to show that trans people are welcome and respected.
When you learn someone else’s pronouns, try your best to remember them and use them correctly whenever you can. Slip-ups do happen, but always be sure to correct yourself without making a big deal about it—this can draw unwanted attention to the experience of misgendering, or referring to a person using language that does not align with their gender identity. If you catch yourself accidentally misgendering someone, quickly correct it and move forward.
Learn the right terms
Another important step to take to foster a more inclusive environment for the trans community is to learn the right terms. The correct way to refer to a transgender person is exactly that—“transgender person.” The word “transgender” is an adjective rather than a noun or verb. When referring to someone’s name or pronouns, avoid using the word “preferred,” as this implies that being trans is a preference. Similarly, someone does not “identify as” transgender—they are transgender. And of course, familiarize yourself with other outdated and offensive language and their more inclusive alternatives—the National LGBTQIA+ Health Education Center has a great guide on their website.
Drop gendered terms as the default
While you’re learning the right terms, you should also reconsider some gendered language you may be using in your materials. There are many transgender people whose identities fall outside the gender binary, or who do not feel fully comfortable with gendered terms. Phrases like “ladies and gentleman” and “sir/ma’am” do not include all identities and should be avoided—more inclusive terms such as “folks,” “followers,” and “colleagues” can be used instead, to provide just a few examples.
When referring to someone whose gender you do not know, or to an individual person in the abstract, it’s more inclusive to say “they” than to use “he/she.” And while this practice does account for non-binary people, don’t assume that all trans people use they/them pronouns. As a rule, refrain from making assumptions about someone’s gender based on how they appear to you. A perfect place to practice this is the comments section—you may not always know the exact identity of who is engaging with your content, so strive to be inclusive!
Respect privacy
A key part of creating a safe space is respecting privacy. When you meet a trans person, you may be curious about their identity, but always refrain from asking personal questions that might put them in an awkward position. Gender identity and expression are two very personal things, and the ongoing discrimination that trans people face can make it uncomfortable and even risky to share lots of information with someone they don’t know well.
Additionally, some people may not want to share their pronouns, as figuring them out can sometimes be a complicated or fluid process that they might still be discovering. It’s always best to follow someone else’s lead when it comes to identity-based disclosures!
Include trans people in your DEI strategy
In general, an inclusive DEI strategy includes all members of the LGBTQIA+ community, but be sure to take note of trans-specific events, topics, and news — and give them the support they deserve. It’s not enough to just recognize Transgender Day of Visibility—show up for trans people year-round. Remember, DEI stands for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, all of which are incomplete without respect for trans people. By learning respectful vocabulary and honoring privacy, you can foster an environment where everyone feels safe, and when everyone is comfortable and included, everyone benefits!
Always in your corner,
The Content Queens
Works Cited
LGBTQIA+ glossary of terms for Health Care Teams. National LGBTQIA+ Health Education Center. (n.d.). Retrieved May 6, 2023, from https://www.lgbtqiahealtheducation.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Glossary-2020.08.30.pdf
Transgender Inclusive Communication. Mathematica. (n.d.). Retrieved May 6, 2023, from https://www.mathematica.org/features/transgender-inclusive-communication
University of Maryland. (n.d.). Good practices: Inclusive language. LGBTQ+ Equity Center. Retrieved May 6, 2023, from https://lgbtq.umd.edu/good-practices-inclusive-language
