Sex Act Campaign, August, 2006

Trans folks are our neighbors, friends, family members, and co-workers.  However, only eight states and the District of Columbia include “gender identity or expression” in their legal non-discrimination protections.  People who identify as trans—or who are perceived to be gender non-conforming—are more likely to suffer daily harassment, unemployment, homelessness, and acts of violence because of their gender presentation. 

Learn More!

• PFLAG Transgender Network, a branch of the friendly folks at Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays, focuses on “support for transgender people and their parents, families, and friends; education on transgender facts and issues; and advocacy for equal rights for the transgender community at local and national levels.”

• GenderPAC provides public education about gender issues.  It also fights for workplace fairness and supports trans youth and their parents through education and organizing.  GenderPAC’s vision is “to ensure every American can participate in the workplace, the classroom, and the community regardless of whether they meet ideals for masculinity or femininity.”

Take Action!

• Help create a world with freedom for gender expression.  Be an active trans ally.  Check out these handy tips from LGBT Services at the University of Vermont.

• Support the organizations below which aim to start a discussion about gender and trans issues with legislators and in American culture at large.  If your state doesn’t legally protect trans folks against discrimination, get involved with your local movement for non-discrimination legislation.

National Center for Transgender Equality

The National Center for Transgender Equality is “a national social justice organization devoted to ending discrimination and violence against transgender people through education and advocacy on national issues of importance to transgender people.”

Their website features a wealth of resources, including “52 Things You Can Do for Transgender Equality” and a handy “Anti-Discrimination Legislation Map” – see if trans folks are legally protected against discrimination in your state!

Sylvia Rivera Law Project

The Sylvia Rivera project, named for the civil rights pioneer who was a veteran of the Stonewall uprising, “works to guarantee that all people are free to self-determine gender identity and expression, regardless of income or race, and without facing harassment, discrimination or violence.”