Be a Real Ally for Trans People 

On the first day of a new class, my favorite thing to do is introduce myself. My spiel is always the same.

“Hi everyone,” I say. “My name is Sophie Buchman. I’m a psychology and social work double major with a double minor in law and politics and German studies. My pronouns are she/her/hers, and one fun fact about me is Tate McRae is my most streamed Spotify artist.” 

The reason I love the first day is because, for a moment, I can just be another blonde psychology major who’s a Tate McRae fan — an identity found on seemingly every college campus in America right now. I can just vanish into myself. 

Eventually though, my classmates and instructor discover I’m a transgender woman. Most of the time, it’s because I disclose it, but sometimes people find out from other sources. 

Although I no longer fear being outed like I used to, I still notice the moment when people who don’t know me begin to define me by one word — transgender. Soon, nothing else about me matters. I become othered, no longer able to vanish into myself. 

Even for transgender celebrities like Laverne Cox and Dylan Mulvaney, being primarily defined by a single word can have detrimental effects on belonging. Transgender people deserve to be able to vanish into their multifaceted and beautiful identities, just like anyone else.

So how can cisgender people help clarify what it means to be trans?

First and foremost, it’s imperative to use correct names and pronouns. It’s simple, but effective. This surface-level effort alone can reduce depression in transgender people and fosters a greater sense of belonging. And for goodness sake, if a transgender woman says she’s a “she,” she’s not a “they.” 

But to be an ally to the transgender community means doing more than just asking for names and pronouns. It means more than just recognizing Transgender Day of Visibility March 31.   

Being an ally means learning transgender history and celebrating transgender contributions to art and culture.

Almost everyone knows about “brat summer” — a reference to Charli xcx’s 2024 album “Brat” and the surge of hyperpop culture following its release. But did you know without a transgender person, “brat summer” would’ve never happened?

Charli xcx cites one of her inspirations for her music, including “Brat,” to her friendship and artistic relationship with the late music producer SOPHIE, who died in 2021.

SOPHIE is considered one of the foremothers of 2010’s hyperpop — a genre dominated by transgender people, especially transgender women. Many popular artists take inspiration from trans musicians, but unfortunately this unique transgender contribution is often ignored by the cisgender mainstream. 

It’s also crucial to note the contributions of trans women of color to the 21st century linguistic zeitgeist. I hear terms like “werk” and “slay” being used every day — terms with roots in New York Ballroom culture. These lavish parties were dominated by transgender people of color, especially black trans women. 

Being an ally means understanding transgender identities are being ruthlessly attacked, no longer just ignored. Transgender history is being wiped from the record by the Trump administration. Trans allyship means recognizing the rights and protections for the “LGB” community wouldn’t have existed without protests and advocacy from the “T.” 

Allyship means paying attention to the struggles of transgender people — especially as a result of the Trump administration. In wake of the national unrest in the transgender community, many trans people are fleeing their homes and jobs for places with strong civil rights protections like Chicago. The need to relocate means unnecessary strain on the already difficult world of transgender housing. 

Trans people’s healthcare needs have also been compromised by the Trump administration. Transgender healthcare is a diverse field, including physical, mental and spiritual care. Learning the nuances of transgender healthcare helps combat misconceptions, making it one of the most powerful things allies can do.

Without cisgender allies willing to educate themselves on the complexities of trans identities and show solidarity with the transgender community, anti-trans rhetoric will continue to shape the narrative on the national stage and continue to define transgender people’s complex identities with a single word. 

Transgender people aren’t going anywhere, and the time for action is now. We don’t want to be defined by one word forever. Transgender people will continue to resist social pressures and exude resilience — the same way we have for centuries.

Allyship isn’t just taking one simple action. It’s a lifelong commitment to stand with transgender people in their darkest hours. Learn transgender history. Listen to transgender voices. Enjoy transgender art. Uplift trans-inclusive policies and policymakers. 

This Trans Day of Visibility, do more than just asking pronouns, and please, see your trans classmates as more than just “trans.”