Getting started with trans activism

Hiya, I'm Avery, and if you're watching this, you're probably concerned about the safety of the transgender community in the world at the moment and I am too.

It's okay to be concerned about this. I personally find though that taking action and making my voice heard puts my mind at ease. So here are five easy steps to get yourself involved in the activist movement.

One, educate yourself.

Learning about transgender experiences is the key to any good campaign. So whether it's reading, podcasts, following your favorite trans creators online, all of this is helpful stuff. Knowledge is power, and they say that for a reason, so use that power to challenge misconceptions and have informed conversations going forwards. And you'll find it connects you to the community a lot better.

Step two, use your voice.

If you feel safe and comfortable to do so, speak up against transphobia, whether it be in conversation, in social media or in your student community, silence can be harmful. So ensure that you're an advocate for respect and equality in your community.

Step three, find your space on campus.

Work with your students union or societies to organize events, workshops and campaigns. I worked with my students union, became the trans rep and the chair of the Trans Society, and it's really fulfilling to be there for your community.

Step four, advocate for change.

Push for transgender inclusive policies at your university, whether it be gender neutral bathrooms, inclusive naming policies, every step forward matters. If you're feeling ambitious, go national. There's so many national issues you could be working on and you'll be surprised how helpful the people around you are.

And that leads into the next step, step five.

Transactivism is all about community, so make sure you're surrounding yourself with like-minded people who share your desire for creating change and equality. You will achieve so much more together than you ever will alone. And as an activist you do have limits. You've got to advocate for yourself before you advocate for other people, and if that means taking a short break or a breath, take a short break and take a breath. And remember, you've surrounded yourself with people who are there to help you so rely on them for that help.

Thank you for joining us on this journey. Advocacy and activism is not about being perfect, it's about learning, showing up and taking action. It's only together that we can work to create a world where everyone is seen and valued. And if you want to get started, there's more resources on student space to help you with that journey.