In a world where understanding and empathy are more crucial than ever, our recent Ally Academy training called Privilege and Power -Understanding Your Role in Oppression offered a wealth of insights. Whether you’re a seasoned advocate or just beginning your journey, the highlights below will inspire and empower you to make a difference. Dive into the top five takeaways to transform your approach to allyship and community support.
1. Privilege: The Superpower You Didn’t Know You Had!
Privilege isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a tool for change. Recognizing your privilege is the first step in using it to uplift others. As Heather Knoxville, COO of Trans Empowerment Project, emphasized, “Privilege exists. There’s nothing wrong with having it; it’s what you do with it that matters.” By understanding and leveraging your privilege, you can amplify marginalized voices and drive systemic change.
2. Intersectionality: The Secret Sauce to Effective Allyship
Understanding intersectionality is key to being a true ally. It’s about recognizing how various identities—like race, gender, and ability—intersect to shape unique experiences. As the training highlighted, “A white 2TIGE man and a Black 2TIGE woman both experience discrimination, but only the latter also faces anti-Black racism.” Embrace this complexity to better understand and support those around you.
3. Power Mapping: Your Blueprint for Change
Feeling overwhelmed by systemic oppression? Power mapping is your answer. This strategic tool helps identify decision-makers, influencers, and allies to effectively challenge harmful policies. Whether it’s a school board implementing an anti-2TIGE sports ban or a workplace overlooking 2TIGE employees, power mapping reveals where change is possible and how you can contribute.
4. Redistributing Resources: Small Actions, Big Impact
Supporting the 2TIGE community doesn’t always require grand gestures. Simple acts like donating to 2TIGE-led funds, hiring 2TIGE individuals, or recommending them for opportunities can make a world of difference. As Jack Knoxville, founder of the Trans Empowerment Project, noted, “Even two or three dollars can make a huge impact.” Your contributions, no matter the size, help create a more equitable world!
5. Speak Up: Your Voice is a Catalyst for Change
Silence is complicity. Whether on social media or in personal conversations, use your voice to challenge discrimination and support the 2TIGE community. Whether you have influence over 5 or 5 million, your own social media accounts are wonderful platforms and catalysts you can use today to plant seeds of change.
Your words have power—use them to foster understanding and drive progress!
By embracing these insights, you’re not just becoming a better ally; you’re joining a movement towards a more inclusive and equitable future. Let’s continue to celebrate diversity, promote healing, and uplift every voice in our community. Together, we can make a difference.
2TIGE – Two-Spirit, Trans, Intersex and Gender-Expansive
2TIGE-BIPOC – Two-Spirit, Trans, Intersex and Gender-Expansive Black and Indigenous People of Color
Agender – Lacking gender; included in the definitions of non-binary because it falls outside of the binary gender system.
Assigned Male At Birth (AMAB)/ Assigned Female At Birth (AFAB)- Someone who was assigned a gender at birth but identifies with the opposite gender
Assigned Sex – The determination of a person’s sex based on the visual appearance of genitals at birth.
Bigender- Someone who experiences two specific genders at the same time or separately and are not limited to the binary.
Cisgender – A person’s gender identity corresponds with their assigned sex at birth.
Expression- is the external appearance of one’s gender identity, usually expressed through behavior, clothing, body characteristics, or voice, which may or may not conform to socially defined behaviors and characteristics typically associated with being either feminine or masculine.
Gender Expansive – Gender expansive refers to individuals whose gender identity, expression, or experience falls outside the traditional binary understanding of male or female. This term embraces a wide range of gender diversity, recognizing that people may identify as a combination of genders, no gender, or a gender different from the one assigned at birth.
Gender Expression- is the external appearance of one’s gender identity, usually expressed through behavior, clothing body characteristics, or voice, which may or may not conform to socially defined behaviors and characteristics typically associated with being either feminine or masculine.
Gender Spectrum –The gender spectrum refers to the understanding that gender is not limited to a strict binary of male and female, but rather exists as a broad range of identities and expressions. This concept recognizes that gender can be fluid and multifaceted, allowing individuals to experience, identify with, and express their gender in ways that go beyond traditional categories. The gender spectrum embraces the diversity of gender experiences, affirming that all gender identities are valid and deserving of respect.
Genderfluid- Someone whose gender identity and/or expression that fluctuates over time.
Intersex- Someone who has genitals, chromosomes, or reproductive organs that do not fit within the rigid definitions typically assigned as female or male in the binary system.
Non-Binary– Someone who does not exclusively identify as male or female.
Sexual Orientation- a person’s feelings of attraction ( emotional, psychological, sexual and/or physical) towards other people.
Trans / Transgender -It is an umbrella term for individuals who identify differently than the sex they were assigned at birth
Two-Spirit- Two Spirit is a term used by some Indigenous cultures in North America to describe individuals who embody both masculine and feminine qualities, or who occupy a unique gender role within their community. It is a sacred, spiritual identity that goes beyond Western understandings of gender and sexuality. Two Spirit people often hold special roles as healers, mediators, or keepers of tradition. The term is specific to Indigenous peoples and cannot be separated from its cultural and historical context. While similar to modern concepts of gender diversity, Two Spirit is deeply rooted in Indigenous worldviews and traditions.
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 doesn’t 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 isn’t bad, new, or a mental issue. It’s 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 – because hey, everyone needs a digital family that gets them, right?
Guess what? You’re 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:
👭 Sisterhood Not Cisterhood: Celebrate womanhood in all its forms – trans women, cis allies, and non-binary pals, this is your haven!
🌍 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.
🤝 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!)
📹 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!
***
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!
