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Transgender Awareness and Trans Day of Remembrance, 10+ things you can do to support trans siblings

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Transgender Awareness and Trans Day of Remembrance, 10+ things you can do to support trans siblings

November 20, 2023

We invite you to face fear and to meet each other with courage and love. To remember and name those who have been taken from us to honor their legacy and loved ones. In this short video, Council Member Erin Gresham (she/they) lights candles and invites us to join in prayer and remembering.

GLAD’s memoriam can be found here: https://glaad.org/tdor-memoriam/

Our 2022 TDOR reflections and video are in English and Spanish and can be found here: https://disciplesallianceq.org/glad-news/transgender-day-of-remembrance-reflections-prayers-in-spanish-english-club-q-tragedy/

We also explore the T in LGBT and offer 10+ things you can do to support trans+ siblings.

L, G, B and T.

“These letters were an evolution toward inclusion — an expansion of the language used to represent a disparate group that had often just been called ‘the gay community.’ Despite their intent, the letters proved to be limiting.

Times and attitudes have changed, and the language used to discuss sexual orientation and gender identity has also changed.” -“The ABCs of L.G.B.T.Q.I.A.+” [1]

Language is a living thing.

“Transgender 101: The ‘T’ in LGBT” was recorded in March 2021. Request the video and PowerPoint slides here.

Whether you know and love any transgender or gender nonconforming people or whether it’s all new to you, this 90-minute workshop and Q+A session will provide basic facts and understanding for the personal and political aspects of transgender and GNC people in the world and in the church. Facilitated by Robin Knauerhase, former Council Moderator and Research Scientist (Retired), Intel Corporation.

There was no cost to participate in the workshop. If you wish to make a small contribution for the video, thank you! Also, we want you to have the resources so please request the materials with no obligation to donate. Complete your request for the workshop recording.

10+ things you can do to support trans siblings

  1. Review the church’s 2019 resolution GA-1929 “An Invitation to Education for Welcoming and Receiving the Gifts of Transgender and Gender-Diverse People.” [2] Talk about this in your faith community!
  2. Know the differences between gender identity, gender expression, sex assigned at birth, sexuality, and emotional attraction. Watch our “Transgender 101: The ‘T’ in LGBT” webinar recording mentioned above. Request the video and PowerPoint slides here.
  3. Celebrate — and fight for — trans lives. Check out this list of things you can do for transgender equality from GLAAD.
  4. Contact lawmakers and act in support of trans inclusive policy, including organizational, local, state-wide, and federal non-discrimination policy. Act against anti-transgender policy. Read about LGBTQ rights from the ACLU and take action.
  5. Post trans affirming and educational content on social media. Use any or all of our shareables below! Follow the AllianceQ Facebook page to share even more.
  6. Go to Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR) events — in person and virtually. TDOR events are happening all around the world; see what options there are to participate virtually, and use #TDOR, #TransResistance, or #MoreThanVisibility on social media to share your experience. Here is a TDOR event list on Eventbrite.
  7. Support trans-led organizations. We admire the work of The Trevor Project.
  8. Read Austen Hartke’s book, Transforming: The Bible and the Lives of Transgender Christians. Austen is the founder of the Transmission Ministry Collective. (He also endorsed Colors of Hope: A Devotional Journal from LGBTQ+ Christians.)
  9. Learn about trans history. Did you know that trans women of color were on the front lines of Stonewall? That a transgender man helped fund the New Age Movement? That a transgender woman exposed the U.S. government’s war crimes in Iraq and Afghanistan? Find this and more trans history from the American Historical Association here.
  10. Recognize the intersections of transness and other identities. This includes race, sexuality, class, disability, citizenship, and more.
  11. Read something educational about becoming a better trans ally. For families and caretakers of transgender people: Our Trans Loved Ones. It has also been translated into Spanish, called Nuestros Seres Queridos Trans.  Other good reads include PFLAG’s Guide to Being a Trans Ally, from their Straight for Equality(TM) program, GLAAD’s Tips for Trans Allies of Transgender People, and the Trevor Project’s A Guide to Being a Better Ally to Transgender and Nonbinary Youth.
  12. Tell people when they say something transphobic or cissexist. This may be calling out, calling in, or a different form of recognition. Accountability is vital for our community!
  13. Watch a movie. Check out Good Housekeeping’s list of the 15 best transgender movies to watch right now. (Note: we haven’t watched every film. No endorsement of the content.)
  14. Build an inclusive church! Help your congregation or organization become Open & Affirming. Contact us to begin or resume the welcoming journey.

Do you need help deciphering the entire alphabet soup?

  • Scan our print and media resources here, including the replay of a webinar co-hosted by AllianceQ and the Disciples Seminary Foundation.
  • Contact us with questions or to ask for a specific resource on a given topic.

[1] “The ABCs of L.G.B.T.Q.I.A.+,” The NY Times

[2] “Transgender Day of Visibility,” GLSEN

[3] “T” image from Transgender Professional Association for Transgender Health