How and Why to Be Allies to Our Transgender friends, neighbors, classmates and colleagues

When the Lafayette School District opted to acknowledge Transgender Day of Visibility, which happens each year on March 31st, with the rising of a Transgender Flag. It's part of the district's affirmative efforts towards making its schools inclusive and safe for ALL children regardless what their gender identity is. 

 

For the past few years, this effort has attracted a protester carrying signs with messages like 'hormones don't cure depression' and 'natural bodies are perfect' that have a transphobic tone. This woman, who is occasionally joined by 1-3 other protesters, has been repeatedly been met by dozens of allies trans-identifying people from other communities, members of the local chapter of PFLAG, doctors, parents and residents who carrying rainbows and the message that all children should be unconditionally loved.

 

This piece includes trans-identifying community members, doctors and psychologists and community allies who chime in about lived experience, while debunking myths and offering thoughts about allyship