LGBTQ+ Resources

Know that queer people would not have the rights we have without black, trans women.

When purchasing gear for Pride, buy from Queer people.

Know that trans people do not need to dress any certain way, they do not need to take hormones and they do not need to have surgery to be valid. 

Advocate for bathrooms without gender. Express your wishes to your favorite local restaurants and shops, your office, etc.

Ask the people you are interacting with what their pronouns are. Introduce yourself with your pronouns. Normalize talking about your pronouns. Put them in your social media bios, your email signatures, etc.

Don’t ask trans people what name they were born with.

Correct others when they use incorrect pronouns.

If you accidentally use incorrect pronouns, correct yourself. Don’t make it a big deal; apologize if you must, and move on using the correct pronouns. 

NEVER out someone without their permission. If someone confides in you, keep it to yourself. There are reasons why they haven’t come out publicly, and they are none of your business. 

Ask when and where it is safe to use their pronouns to avoid outing them on accident.

Never ask anyone about their hormone therapy, genitalia, or if they have had or plan to have any surgery regarding genitalia. Like it is for cisgender people, trans people’s medical history is private.

Queer people are tired. If you have questions, research first, then ask queer people, but only if the internet could not satiate your need for answers.

Research and know what each letter means in the acronym LGBTQIA+

Research and understand the difference between sex and gender.

Research and know the history of the Stonewall Riots. Ensure that the information you are ingesting has not been white-washed. Black trans women gave us Pride and began the Queer rights movement.

Google what cishet means.

If you are a cishet person, do not demand attention in Queer spaces. Be aware of how much space you take up.

Believe that all people, regardless of gender identity and sexual orientation, should be treated with dignity and respect. 

Do not ask about queer people’s sex lives.

Show up for us at Pride AND the poles. Vote for candidates that not only include LGBTQIA+ equality in their campaigns, but also have a history of supporting the Queer community.

Stop calling things ‘gay’ when you mean to say ‘lame’. That young, queer kid heard you and now thinks it’s ‘gay’ to be gay.

Defend and protect your LGBT friends and family against discrimination. Stand up for them in public and online.

Anti-LGBT comments and jokes are harmful. Let your friends, family and co-workers know that you find them offensive.

Donate to the Equality Federation 

https://www.equalityfederation.org/

Donate to the National Center for Transgender Equality 

https://transequality.org/