Today, in celebration of Trans Day of Visibility, 100% of our merch profits will be donated to Brave Space Alliance—a Black-led, trans-led organization located on the South Side of Chicago. Head over to RiotBrand.org, pick up some merch, and read more ways you can support the trans community below.
About Brave Space Alliance:
Brave Space Alliance is the first Black-led, trans-led LGBTQ+ Center located on the South Side of Chicago, dedicated to creating and providing affirming, culturally competent, for-us by-us resources, programming, and services for LGBTQ+ individuals on the South and West sides of the city. We strive to empower, embolden, and educate each other through mutual aid, knowledge-sharing, and the creation of community-sourced resources as we build toward the liberation of all oppressed peoples.
International Transgender Day of Visibility is a day focused on supporting and celebrating trans lives. So make sure you’re taking time not just today, but every day to support trans people—pledge money directly to local groups like Brave Space Alliance, to individuals seeking financial assistance via GoFundMe (for things like trans-affirming healthcare and/or surgeries), and to national organizations like Transgender Law Center and the ACLU (who both help fight anti-trans legislation across the country).
In addition, here’s a few more ways to be a good ally:
- Listen to trans voices. How many people on your Twitter feed identify as trans or nonbinary? What LGBTQ+ organizations do you follow? One of the best ways to support the trans community is (amazingly!) to listen. Here’s some folks to follow.
- Pick up the phone—and protect trans youth. 2021 has become a record year for anti-trans legislation. Use your voice and fight for those affected—like, for example, by calling Governor Hutchinson of Arkansas to veto HB 1570, a bill that would inflict an unimaginable amount of harm upon countless trans youth.
- Educate those around you. There’s always more room to learn about transgender topics and issues. That goes for your friends and family, too. When the opportunity arises, take it upon yourself to educate those around you—and help build a safer, more inclusive world for your trans and non-binary allies. Here’s a great guide on allyship to guide your future conversations.