In moments of rising attacks on transgender, nonbinary, and intersex communities, it is essential that cisgender people, especially those within Jewish spaces, show up boldly and consistently for trans rights. Transgender, nonbinary, and intersex people should not bear the burden of fighting alone for our dignity, safety, and humanity. Jewish tradition calls on us to pursue justice, tzedek tzedek tirdof, and to show up for one another in times of need. While many of the steps listed here are things that transgender, nonbinary, and intersex people do routinely to advocate for and protect ourselves, this resource is primarily intended for cisgender allies. Allies have a powerful role to play: listening deeply, speaking out, challenging injustice, and leveraging our platforms, relationships, and communities to build a world where trans people can thrive.
Given the amount of anti-trans misinformation that is circulating, it is important to ask critical questions of news coverage of the trans, nonbinary, and intersex communities, and always to wonder, “who might be trying to benefit from this law/regulation/portrayal of the community?”
Seek out information and analysis from trans-run sources
3 EDUCATE OTHERS
If you are an educator or public figure, you have an opportunity to share accurate information from that platform
Whether or not you are a formal educator or public figure, you have the opportunity to educate others in one-to-one conversation, advocate for learning and action opportunities in your community, and correct misinformation when you hear it
You can share with others the information sources you are using, and also model for them your journey of learning. In a world where so many people feel called to be “either with us or against us,” you can be a powerful role model for learning and change and create a safer space for others to ask questions and begin to shift their perspectives. This is a particularly powerful way for allies who are not themselves part of the trans, nonbinary, and intersex communities to show up.
Center trans voices through trans-authored articles, podcasts
Learn how to share feedback and advocate effectively. People and organizations are much more receptive to feedback that comes from a place of empathy, shared values, and concrete recommendations. It can take real emotional resources to translate hurt and anger into empathetic, kind, and results-oriented feedback, and this is an area where it is particularly helpful for allies to take up the emotional labor in partnership with those who are directly impacted.
Remain firm in your commitment to belonging for all people, including transgender, nonbinary, and intersex people. State and share this commitment publicly, and advocate for your communities to make their commitments public as well.
The flurry of executive orders and actions that are impacting the LGBTQ+ community are part of a coordinated effort to confuse lawmakers and businesses. It is important that we listen to the experts and don’t comply in advance.
Jewish organizations, such as synagogues, Hebrew schools, day schools, camps, and JCCs, are private religious institutions. That means there are limits to the extent that the government can regulate your programs and policies. Your Jewish organization might be one of the only places where LGBTQ+ people, especially trans people, especially youth, can find affirmation. You have a unique role to play — a unique opportunity to live out your values — in supporting our trans, nonbinary, and intersex community members when many secular institutions can’t by being a safe haven for them.
Especially if you are an educator, care provider, clergy, or community leader, advocate in your synagogue, school, and workplace, learn what issues are facing trans folks in your community
Advocate for practices and policies that affirm trans dignity and full participation
Thank leaders who have been working on these things
Organize with other stakeholders
Emphasize connection to Jewish and/or organizational values
6 ORGANIZE YOUR COMMUNITY
Bring in other community members to take action alongside you!
Learn what strengths and resources are already in your community, and leverage them to deepen your work.
Pay attention to their action alerts and participate in hearings, actions, and meetings
Take advantage of these opportunities to speak up — supporting and centering those who are most impacted, while also recognizing the role of allyship in amplifying calls for justice
7 KNOW AND USE THE POWER OF YOUR OWN LANGUAGE AND BEHAVIOR
Always use language for people that they ask you to use
Share your own pronouns when able — this takes pressure off trans/nonbinary folks to be the only ones who need to do so
Respond and intervene when you hear anti-trans comments, microaggressions, jokes, or stereotypes
Strive for authentic relationships, remembering that while many transgender, nonbinary, and intersex people consider these identities important in how we navigate the world, each person is more than any one identity
Accept feedback graciously, knowing that relationships are messy and that’s OK! If someone lets you know that your well-intentioned words or actions did not have the positive impact you wanted, they are trusting you enough to be vulnerable and allow you to grow.
Be responsive in the moment and do your best
Don’t make it primarily about you — we use the word “allyship” to describe the experience of showing up with and for another person, centering their needs and truths
But DO care for and sustain yourself, get support, and know that you are building a world in which others can also be your allies when needed
8 CONTACT YOUR LOCAL AND JEWISH MEDIA
Ask or thank for robust and accurate coverage
Write Letters to the Editor in response to dangerous, misinformed coverage
9 SUPPORT TRANS-OWNED AND -RUN PROJECTS AND BUSINESSES
This is a time that is financially precarious for many in the transgender, nonbinary, and intersex communities. One concrete way to help is with your business. Look for local (or online) trans-run businesses and projects, and when possible, direct your purchases and subscriptions to them.
10 DONATE MONEY AND VOLUNTEER TIME TO ORGANIZATIONS WORKING FOR TRANSGENDER, NONBINARY, AND INTERSEX RIGHTS
Thank you for showing up, for learning, and for choosing to act. When cisgender people speak out, organize, and take meaningful steps in solidarity, it helps shift culture, policy, and hearts. Your voice matters, especially when it’s used to uplift and protect those most under attack.
We’re so grateful you’re in this with us. Keep going! Have the hard conversations. Show up. Advocate in your communities. And keep listening to and following trans leadership. Together, we can build a Jewish and LGBTQ+future where every person is seen, safe, and celebrated.
Keshet envisions a world in which all LGBTQ+ Jews and our families can live with full equality, justice, and dignity.
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