Many of us have grown up using “sex” and “gender” as though they are interchangeable terms, and while for a majority of people, they may be, these two traits are not actually the same.
Sex is a label that refers to your biology: sex chromosomes (XX, XY, or otherwise), hormone levels (estrogen, testosterone, and others), and reproductive organs (internal and external, primary and secondary). Some people do not exactly fit into our ideas of what “male” and “female” are, and these people are intersex.
Gender is more about how we feel inside and how we connect with societal expectations. For instance, the way we act, the pronouns we use, and the clothes we wear are often pieces of the gender puzzle, constructed by society. While gender is often assigned at birth, that assignment is based on their physical sex traits and the medical provider’s assumption.
These designations are often referred to as AFAB (Assigned Female at Birth) or AMAB (Assigned Male at Birth). When the gender one was assigned doesnât match how they truly feel inside, they often identify as Transgender.
For cisgender people, their sex and gender may match up without any noticeable difference. But for those in the Trans community, we recognize the gap between the gender we were assigned at birth and who we truly are.
This gap, or difference that we feel is known as gender incongruence, and what typically designates someone as Trans.
Being trans isnât bad, new, or a mental issue. Itâs simply a natural outcome of the real difference between sex and gender.”
Despite what you may have previously been made to believe, gender is not binary. It is a spectrum of existences and all people, regardless of which gender they are, deserve to live their best lives.
Check out the video below to hear more about the science behind the gender spectrum:
Managing volunteers can be a fun and rewarding experience. However, it can also get really messy really quickly. Therefore, it’s important to set clear and well defined expectations early on. Additionally, not all volunteers were created equally. Some folks may need a little more hand holding than others. Remember to practice anti-racism in your relationships when managing all staff and volunteers. We’re each coming to the table with different experiences, skillsets, ambitions, and abilities.
Below are 10 tips for managing volunteers more effectively:
1. Clear Communication
Ensure all instructions and expectations are clearly communicated to your volunteers. Using multiple channels like email, text, and face-to-face briefings ensures that everyone is on the same page. 2. Well-Defined Roles
Assign specific roles to volunteers based on their strengths and interests. Clearly defined roles with clearly defined tasks helps prevent confusion and ensures a smooth operation. 3. Training and Orientation
Provide necessary training and orientation sessions for volunteers. This doesn’t always have to be formal; a simple walkthrough or demonstration might be enough. Start with the absolute basics and don’t assume anyone’s experience or comfort level with the tools and skills they need to know. 4. Flexibility
Be flexible with scheduling and responsibilities. Volunteers are offering their time freely, so accommodating their schedules when possible can increase satisfaction and retention. 5. Recognition and Appreciation
Acknowledge their hard work and dedication. Recognition can be as simple as a public thank you, certificates, or small tokens of appreciation. 6. Feedback Mechanism
Have a system in place for volunteers to provide feedback about the events and actions you are leading. This can help identify areas for improvement and help ensure your volunteers feel valued. 7. Build a Community
Encourage camaraderie among volunteers. Fostering a sense of community, and creating spaces for volunteers to connect socially, can make the experience more enjoyable and increase the likelihood of them volunteering again. 8. Supply Necessary Resources
Ensure volunteers have all the tools and resources they need to perform their tasks efficiently. Lack of resources can lead to frustration and hinder their ability to help. 9. Emergency Preparedness
Prepare your volunteers for any emergencies. Brief them on emergency procedures and ensure they know who to contact in different scenarios. 10. Stay Positive and Supportive
Lead by example with a positive attitude. Support your volunteers by being available and approachable. Your positivity will reflect on their performance and overall experience.
We’re buzzing with excitement at Trans Empowerment Project and you’re the reason why! We are amping up our efforts and diving deep into the digital world to strengthen our global family. Say hello to a broader, more vibrant platform of emotional support and relief â because hey, everyone needs a digital family that gets them, right?
Guess what? Youâre already one of us! Our digital community groups are growing, and each one is a mosaic of stories, triumphs, and unwavering support. Whether you’ve been with us from the start or are taking your first step into the fold, let’s celebrate our expanding universe:
đ Sisterhood Not Cisterhood: Celebrate womanhood in all its forms â trans women, cis allies, and non-binary pals, this is your haven!
đ TEP Africa: Uniting voices from the Motherland, this group is a powerhouse of solidarity and empowerment on Continental turf.
⨠Influence for Good: Here, your passion for social justice turns into action. Change isn’t just spoken; it’s made.
đ¤ Trans Mentorship Program: New to the journey? Find guidance. Seasoned traveler? Offer your wisdom. This mentorship brings generations together for growth and learning. (Mentees also wanted!)
đš Take Back the Narrative: Become part of our storytelling community and find more ways to use your own experiences for empowerment.
And there’s more!
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Our digital communities are housed across a variety of tech platforms including Discord, Slack, Facebook, and Mighty Networks. Join our 24/7 pride parade where every day is a celebration of you!
Being part of our communities means you’re never alone, whether you’re sipping morning coffee or burning the midnight oil.
If you’re over the age of 16 and your heart beats to the rhythm of LGBTQIA+ pride, you’re exactly who we’d like to welcome in. Help us lift voices that too often echo in silence. Let’s connect, create safe spaces, and lead initiatives that spell pride, support, and empowerment in every language.
Ready to join us? Explore our digital communities page, and let’s enjoy the next chapter of this adventure together!
This Pride, we’re launching an exciting storytelling campaign: “Voices of Pride: Sharing Our Stories”. This initiative is all about celebrating the beautiful diversity and resilience within the 2TIGE community. We believe that every story holds powerâthe power to inspire, to educate, and to connect us all on a deeper level.
As part of this campaign, we’ve pre-loaded a couple of prompts for our community storytellers to share their experiences.
Why Your Story Matters:
đ Authentic Representation: Your experiences contribute to a richer, more vibrant tapestry of our community.
đ Connection: Sharing your journey can be a beacon of support and solidarity for someone in a similar situation.
đ Celebration: It’s a way to honor our achievements, struggles, and the ongoing journey towards equality and understanding. How to Participate:
Reflect on your unique experiences and what Pride means to you.
Craft your storyâwhether itâs a defining moment, a message of hope, or a celebration of identity.
Share it with us! Submit your responses to the prompt(s) that excite you, by clicking here.
Also, please donât worry about perfection; itâs your authenticity and joy that we want to see!
Clothing is what makes the (Hu)man; or so they say, which is why as our founder, I started TEP with a clothing swap.
I realized that clothing was one immediate form of gender expression that we have access to. Clothing amplifies outwardly the energy within our bodies. It introduces us to the world, without us having to say a word and is one of the many ways that we as humans have to connect to the world around us. Allowing us all to explore who we are, what we’re feeling, what we want to project to the rest of the world and affords comfort, especially against the elements during extreme weather.
Despite the fact that clothing is one of the most abundant resources on our planet, especially in the United States, where we are high subscribers to fast fashion, it can be incredibly difficult to access gender-affirming clothing that is affordable for our community.
From the discomfort of trying to shop in what may be an unaffirming and potentially unsafe space, to not having the cash needed to get the affirming clothing we want/need, clothing is one resource that the 2TIGE community is always in need of.
For the last few years we’ve been shipping out clothing packages to folks in need, but that’s just not sustainable!
So, now we’re asking our community members to join us in hosting clothing swaps across the country to make sure more folks get access to the clothing resources that they need.
Not only that, but clothing swaps can be a lot of fun; especially when organized with friends! We’ve had folks hold one off-events and also held them as regular functions in Knoxville, TN until COVID hit.
You can organize clothing swaps with friends or open them up to the larger community. They’re a great and affordable way for everyone in the community (including our accomplices) to come together for fun and to freshen up their wardrobes with fresh finds.
ICYMI: Clothing swaps can help protect the earth by ensuring that unwanted clothing ends up in the hands of communities who need them rather than adding to overfilled landfills!
Did you know: âIt takes almost 8000 litres of water â what one person drinks in seven years â to make one pair of jeans. And when those jeans are discarded, they join the 21 billion tons of textiles that end up in landfills each year. Of 100 billion items produced yearly, 14 for each human on the planet, three in five will be discarded within the year.â(UN, 2019)Â &Â (NRDC.org, 2019)
