LGBT

1. The T in LGBT
What does it mean to be transgender?

2. Defining “Transgender”
• “Transgender is when your gender identity doesn’t match
the gender assigned to you.”
• Gender identity? Gender assignment?
• “FtM” = Someone who was born male, but identifies as/is
male = “A transgender man.”
• Feelings of being in the wrong body – assigned the
wrong gender.

3. Current Events
• December 28th, 2014 - Leelah Alcorn
• Unsupportive parents, conversion therapy
• “Fix society. Please.” – Misgendered even after death.

4. Statistics
• 80% of transgender students feel
unsafe at school.
• 41% of transgender people have
attempted suicide.
• Supportive parents make a huge
difference!
• Out of 433 transgender people, 72%
reported life satisfaction, 70%
described their mental health
positively, and only 23% suffered
depression.
• 75% of transgender individuals
without supportive parents have
suffered depression, and 57% have
attempted suicide.

5. Laverne Cox
• Transgender activist, actress, and public speaker.
• Active on social media – Instagram, Twitter, and
Facebook. (Leelah Alcorn)
• Transgender pride and current events.
• “It Gets Better”
• “The T Word”
• Orange is the New Black

6. Three Things to Know about
Being Transgender with Laverne
Cox
1. "Please do not ask us about our genitalia
unless you are a health care professional or if
you are seriously interested in dating us."
2. "We are so much more than the sum of our
parts as human beings. Please don't reduce a
transgender person to what surgery they have
had or haven't had."
3. "Pronouns matter, so please ask a trans person
what pronoun they prefer to be referred to
as.”

7. Fight for Gender-neutral
Bathrooms
• DoC survey find that 70% of transgender people have
issues in the bathroom.
• Importance of creating a safe-space for everyone.

8. Victories for the
Transgender Community
• Planet Fitness
• Woman’s membership revoked for complaining
about a transgender women in the locker room.
• “Planet Fitness is committed to creating a non-intimidating, welcoming
environment for our members. Our gender identity non-discrimination
policy states that members and guests may use all gym facilities based
on their sincere self-reported gender identity. The manner in which this
member expressed her concerns about the policy exhibited behavior
that management at the Midland club deemed inappropriate and
disruptive to other members, which is a violation of the membership
agreement and as a result her membership was cancelled.”

9. Refuge Restrooms
• Helps transgender people to locate gender-neutral bathrooms.
• “Non-gender conforming individuals.”

10. How to Help
• Don't be invasive! - Just like "normal" people, they don't want to be
asked about their genitalia, sexual orientation, or private sex life. It's
important to remind yourself that just because a person is transgender
does not mean they aren't human. Don't ask a transgender person any
questions that you wouldn't ask any other person.
• Don't assume! - If you're unsure about the proper pronoun usage, ask
what pronouns he/she prefers! Although pronouns are short words, they
mean a world of a difference to a transgender person. Using the correct
pronoun when referring to your friend is a huge way of showing your
support and acceptance.
• Provide emotional support! - If a friend or a loved one is coming to you to
discuss how he/she is feeling, silence that iPhone of yours, sit with him/her,
and truly listen. Do not turn your back on a friend who needs you. Help.
Listen. Be a friend. Be an ally.
• Practice confidentiality! -Coming out is an incredibly difficult process. If a
friend is coming out to you about being transgender, it is crucial that you
respect them enough to keep such a big announcement to yourself until
he/she is ready to share with others.
• Become an ally!