lush Support Trans People Turning Allyship Into Action User Guide

Support Trans People

A guide to turning allyship into action

This guide is produced by Lush Cosmetics in solidarity and allyship with trans people everywhere. Through our campaigns and company practices, we strive to lead by example by being an inclusive and diverse workplace. This is an open resource and we welcome you to share, copy or reproduce it freely.

The following contains mentions of violence, suicide and bigotry. This material can be difficult, so please come to it when you feel able to. Reader discretion is advised.

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*Canada and USA only

Trans rights are human rights.

Now and forever.

Transgender people are …

… our classmates, our coworkers, our neighbors, our family members, our heroes and our friends.

There are millions of trans and nonbinary people across the world, making it highly likely that we all know, love or have at least met a transgender person.

Yet, from 2021 to 2023, legislation (both passed and proposed) that seeks to limit the rights of trans people has surged in both intensity and number. This includes restricting or dissolving access to medically necessary healthcare and participation in sports, along with blocking the legal right to be called by their correct name. And the volume of oppressive legislation being proposed or passed is only increasing.

Now more than ever, we must fight for everyone’s basic human rights to create a world in which all of us can thrive.

If we all want to live in a world where everyone is free to be their authentic self, now is the time to stand together. This guide is for anyone who wants to learn more about the trans community and the systemic violence and oppression that disproportionately affects people outside of the gender binary.

Share this information with your friends and family.
Let your elected representatives know you support trans rights and freedom for all. Show up with love to celebrate victories with your community and support one another in difficult moments.

“ Even though I knew I was different, I stayed very firm in just being me.”
–Shea Couleé, drag queen, musician, actor, podcaster and fixture of the Chicago nightlife scene.

“ You are never far from a trans person or someone who cares about us deeply.”
–Representative Zooey Zephyr, the first openly transgender person to be elected to the state legislature in Montana.

“ My love is political. My body is political. I talk even when I don’t speak.”
–Indya Moore, actor, model, one of Time Magazine’s most influential people of 2019.

“ I am not afraid of my truth anymore and I will not omit pieces of me to make you comfortable.”
–Schuyler Bailar, author, activist and the first trans D1 NCAA men’s athlete.

What does it mean to be transgender or nonbinary?

The term transgender , or “trans” for short, describes people whose gender identity is different from the gender that they were assigned at birth.

The term nonbinary describes people who don’t identify as male or female, but rather as neither or as a combination of the two. Nonbinary people may live as both, either, or neither gender.

For many trans and nonbinary people, the pronouns they use are an important part of how they present themselves. One of the most basic ways you can respect someone’s trans identity is by respecting their pronouns.

For more terms associated with gender identity, see the glossary on pages 17-20 in this guide.

In July 2023, the U.S. Census reported that there are

2.6 million people

with a lived trans experience in the United States. 1

In May 2021, the Canadian Census reported that there are more than

100,815 people

with a lived trans experience in Canada. 2

TRANS RIGHTS MEAN LIVING FREE FROM VIOLENCE.

Across the globe, transgender people face disproportionately higher rates of physical and sexual violence than any other community. Trans folks and allies mark a Day of Remembrance on November 20th each year to observe the often undercounted number of trans deaths caused by misunderstanding, hate and many other tragic and inhumane reasons.

In 2023, at least 54 transgender and gender non-conforming people’s lives were taken through violent means, including through gun and interpersonal violence in the United States and Canada.3,4,16

In 2022, almost 500 gender identity-motivated hate crimes were recorded in the United States, an increase of more than 30 percent from the previous year. This number is an undercount.5

Schools are the third highest location for hate crimes in the United States, with as much as 10 percent of all reported hate crimes in 2022 happening at schools across the country, including 342 LGBTQ+ offenses.6

*In the United States, more than 432 trans and gender non-conforming people have lost their lives to fatal violence since 2008. 3,4,16,17**

*In Canada, more than 11 trans and gender non-conforming people have lost their lives to fatal violence since 2008. 4**

NUMBER OF DEATHS RECORDED IN EACH CALENDAR YEAR

Canada         United States

*These numbers are only those that have been reported.
The actual numbers are likely significantly higher.

TRANS RIGHTS MEANS AN END TO RACISM AND MISOGYNY.

Violence against trans people often isn’t just about being trans. People frequently commit violence against trans people as a result of the bigotry they hold against intersecting identities.3

Transgender women of color—particularly Black transgender women—are disproportionately impacted by fatal violence, comprising 75 percent of all transgender and gender non-conforming victims. In the United States, 206 Black trans women have been identified as victims since 2013.3

More than 85% of murdered trans people in the U.S. are people of color. 3

When embraced, supported and allowed to thrive, trans people live happy, vibrant, and rich lives.

The same as any other person.

TRANS RIGHTS MEANS PROTECTING TRANS KIDS.

Anti-LGBTQ+ passed and proposed legislation is directly targeting trans youth and having a critical impact on their resilience and their physical and mental health.

Nearly one in three LGBTQ+ young people in the U.S. said their mental health was poor most of the time or always due to oppressive policies and legislation.9

Conversely, in The Trevor Project’s 2023 National Survey, almost 80 percent of LGBTQ+ young people in the U.S. said hearing about potential state and local laws trying to ban conversion therapy made them feel a little or a lot better.9

Among all LGBTQ+ young people in the U.S., 81 percent wanted mental healthcare but more than half were not able to get it, including nearly three in five transgender and nonbinary young people and more than two in five cisgender young people.9 In Canada, almost two-thirds of transgender and nonbinary individuals reported poor or fair mental health, five times the proportion of those who were cisgender.10

For transgender and nonbinary children and adolescents, early gender affirming care is crucial to all aspects of health and wellbeing.

TRANS RIGHTS MEANS LEGISLATED RIGHTS.

Increasingly, young people are feeling more comfortable coming out earlier in life. However, at the same time, there has been an increase in anti-trans and anti-LGBTQ+ sentiment across a variety of spaces—including in the areas of schools, sports and healthcare.7

Nearly 50 percent of trans and nonbinary people in the United States reported that they had thought about moving to another state because proposed or passed laws that target transgender people for unequal treatment, and five percent of respondents had actually moved out of state because of such state action.8

THE UNITED STATES HAS EXPERIENCED A LONG RISE IN ANTI-TRANS LEGISLATION. NOW IT’S SURGING.

*as of January 30, 2024

Other       Health        Bathroom/Locker Room/ Sports

In the United States, more than 40% of LGBTQ+ young people seriously considered attempting suicide in the past. 9

In Canada, 45% of trans and nonbinary people were more likely to have seriously contemplated suicide in their lifetime. 10

TRANS RIGHTS MEANS AFFIRMING HEALTHCARE.

Gender affirming care for transgender and gender diverse people is essential healthcare that allows individuals to align their bodies with their own internal sense of self.12

98 percent of transgender and gender diverse people reported that receiving medically necessary hormone treatment resulted in greater levels of satisfaction with their lives, and 94 percent reported being more satisfied with their lives after transitioning to live as their true gender.8

Policymakers across the U.S. have been using the potential for surgical regret to justify an unprecedented wave of legislation that bans access to gender affirming care, especially for youth. Despite this supposed fear, evidence suggests that less than one percent of those who receive gender affirming surgery report regret.13

Of those who saw a healthcare provider within the last 12 months, almost 50 percent reported having at least one negative experience because they were transgender. Experiences ranged from being refused healthcare, being misgendered, having a provider use harsh or abusive language when treating them, or having a provider be physically rough or abusive when treating them.8

TRANS RIGHTS MEAN

FREEDOM.
JUSTICE.
LIBERATION.

Despite the barriers to care and relentless political attacks, trans and nonbinary people remain hopeful and resilient.

It’s time for all of us to come together to stand with the queer community so we can dismantle the structures and institutions that perpetuate inequality.

If you believe everyone has the right to be their true authentic self, then it’s time to speak up for trans rights and loudly challenge transphobia everywhere it shows up. Demand that your representatives at every level of government defend and protect trans rights.

If you want to live in a world where everyone, especially youth, has access to the love, support and care they need to thrive, and where no one can get in the way of bodily autonomy and self expression, join us in spreading the knowledge and lessons in this guide.

Tips for acting in solidarity with trans and nonbinary people

Solidarity means supporting and advocating for the equal treatment of a community other than your own.

It means you recognize the destructiveness of oppression to all of humanity. You acknowledge that our collective wellbeing is interwoven.

The following are several tips that can be used as you move forward in becoming a better ally. This list isn’t exhaustive but will provide you with a starting place as you learn more about gender identities and presentations.14

Trans people belong.

Don’t tolerate disrespect and choose to educate

Whether it’s hurtful language, remarks or jokes, call it out if it’s inappropriate. Build your community and seek out further allies who will support you in this effort. Whenever you are able, educating the individuals responsible for the harmful behavior is a great way to ensure that trans and nonbinary people aren’t responsible for that emotional labor.

Respect and use pronouns

Pronouns are a normal function of language. Not sure which pronouns someone uses? Just ask and then use their pronouns—it’s that easy. It’s okay if you make a mistake, just be sure to correct it and move on.

Keep it appropriate

Don’t ask trans people about their genitals, surgical status, or sex lives. Bottom line: if you wouldn’t ask a cisgender person, don’t ask a trans person either!

Be patient with those questioning their gender identity

When someone is questioning their gender identity, they might shift back and forth as they find out what’s best for them. Be kind and understanding—this includes being respectful of their names, pronouns and process.

Don’t police public restrooms

Be welcoming and inclusive so everyone feels comfortable and empowered to use public restrooms. You can also help advocate for all-gender bathrooms in your school, workplace, or other public spaces by asking your administration to create one.

Be careful about confidentiality, disclosure and outing

If someone has shared their gender identity with you, don’t tell others without their permission. Not only is outing someone an invasion of privacy, but it can also have devastating consequences in a world that can be intolerant of gender differences.

Don’t assume you can tell if someone is transgender

There is no “one way” to present as trans or nonbinary. The diversity of self expression is beautiful and unique person to person.

Listen to trans people

Listen with an open mind and heart to the experiences of trans and nonbinary people. One of the most important parts of being an ally is actively listening and holding space for understanding.

Use gender-neutral language

Our everyday words and phrases are often gendered unnecessarily. By addressing a group with phrases like “welcome, ladies and gentlemen” we assume genders and exclude people. Consider using gender inclusive language like “hi friends” or “welcome, folks” instead.

Language evolves rapidly, as do communities. So it can seem difficult to keep up. Remember that it’s not about being perfect, it’s about the continued effort to remain inclusive.

It’s okay to make mistakes.

It’s not okay to use habit or ignorance as an excuse. Apologize when you make a mistake, and make a concerted effort to learn and use respectful terminology.

Glossary

Biological or assigned sex

Biological sex is most often used to refer to the gender assigned at birth, which is often deduced by examining the external genitalia of a fetus or newborn. Though largely believed to be binary, sex is, in fact, a spectrum. No one single factor defines sex.

Cisgender (non-transgender)

Cisgender or cis is used to describe people whose gender identity is in alignment with the sex assigned to them at birth. Cis means “in alignment with” or “on the same side”. The prefixes cis and trans work together as umbrella terms to classify all gender identities so no identity is normalized or accepted over another.

Conversion therapy

“Reparative” or “conversion” therapy is a violent and dangerous practice that targets LGBTQ+ youth and seeks to change their sexual or gender identities. It is a range of dangerous and discredited practices that falsely claim to change who a person is, which can lead to depression, anxiety, drug use, homelessness and suicide. In 2022, Canada banned the practice of conversion therapy.

Gender

The social classification of people as masculine and/ or feminine. Whereas sex is an externally assigned classification, gender is something that becomes evident in a social context.

Gender affirming surgery

Refers to surgical alteration of anatomy to affirm one’s gender identity. This is only one of many routes of transition. Whether for financial, medical, or personal reasons, many people do not opt for surgery. This term is also evolving and some activists refer to surgeries as “assisted puberty”.

Gender dysphoria

The distress, pain, or discomfort that arises from the incongruence between the gender assigned at birth and gender identity. Not all trans and nonbinary people experience the same degrees or type of dysphoria.

Gender euphoria

Used to describe the powerfully positive emotions that can come from feeling aligned with one’s gender. Gender euphoric experiences can be external, internal, and/or social. It’s about finding joy in how your gender is expressed and perceived, and is not exclusive to a lived transgender experience. Cisgender people can experience gender euphoria, too.

Gender expression

Characteristics and behaviors that may be perceived as masculine or feminine, usually regarding appearance, clothing, hairstyles, mannerisms, speech patterns and social interactions.

Gender identity

A person’s deeply held internal sense of being male or female or some other gender, regardless of the sex they were assigned at birth. The ability to determine someone’s gender identity rests with the individual.

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT)

A medical treatment where one is administered sex hormones as a way to relieve dysphoria, usually with a goal of either masculinization or feminization.

Intersex/Sex-variant

An umbrella term used to refer to bodies whose development does not conform to the medical binary of male and female sexed bodies. The term describes a broad range of sex-variation manifested in configurations, combinations and sometimes absences of certain organs, dual genitalia, fused genitalia, chromosome variations, hormones, and/or reproductive capacity. These bodies are often subjected to non-consensual medical interventions and are otherwise marginalized within society.

LGBTQ+

The umbrella abbreviation for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/ questioning community and beyond. The ‘+’ represents that definitions of gender and sexuality are fluid and subject to change, and that those questioning or who don’t fit squarely into one identity are welcome in the community.

Nonbinary

Some people don’t identify as male or female, but rather as neither or as a combination. These people live as both, either, or neither. These folks may identify as nonbinary, gender nonconforming (GNC), or genderqueer and use pronouns considered to be gender neutral such as they/ them/theirs. There are also a variety of neo pronouns that some nonbinary people use, like xe/xim/xir, faer, or hir.

Sexual orientation

Do not confuse and conflate sexual orientation and gender identity. They are not the same. Sexual orientation describes a person’s enduring physical, romantic and/ or emotional attraction to another person. Like everyone else, transgender people have sexual orientations—they may be straight, lesbian, gay, bisexual, pansexual, queer, asexual, etc.

Transgender

An umbrella term for people whose gender identity, expression or behavior is different from those typically associated with their assigned sex at birth. A multitude of different experiences and identities are contained within this umbrella.

Transgender woman and transgender man

It is always best to ask people what terms they prefer to describe themselves. Use these terms to refer to how a person identifies and lives today. For example, someone assigned male at birth who identifies as a woman is a transgender woman or a woman.

Transitioning/Transition

Any steps a person takes to affirm their gender identity. There is no “one” or “right way” to transition. Transitioning may involve “coming out” by telling family, friends or coworkers, changing your name, changing pronouns (she/ he/they), changing clothing or appearance, counseling, and/or accessing medical treatment such as hormone replacement therapy, or different types of surgery. But none of these steps are required.

Transphobia

An irrational fear or hatred of trans people. This is often expressed in the form of harassment, violence, targeted misinformation, institutionalized discrimination and murder.

Two-spirit

A cultural and spiritual identity used by some Indigenous peoples to describe having both masculine and feminine spirits. It can include people who are gay, lesbian, bisexual, trans or intersex. For some, two-spirit describes a societal and spiritual role that people played within traditional societies, such as mediators, keepers of certain ceremonies, transcending the traditional roles of men and women and filling a role as an established middle gender. It should only be used by, and in reference to, Native and First Nations peoples.

perceived as a man.
Before she became a nonbinary.| Before they transitioned.
Being trans means you’re gay.| Gender identity and sexual orientation are not the same.
Did you get the surgery?| Don’t ask about surgeries and/or private parts unless a person explicitly invites that conversation!
When will you finish transitioning?| The journey of transition is unique for every person, and does not necessarily have a “start” or “end”.

Acknowledgements

Written and designed by Lush Cosmetics with support from Nikki Mia and the National Center for Transgender Equality.
Learn more at: transequality.org

Printed in 2024, the 25th anniversary of the creation of the trans flag by Monica Helms, whose hope was that when any member of the trans community scans the flag from the top down or the bottom up, they’ll be able to find their space on the banner and feel included.
Learn more at: dayofpink.org/trans-flag

For a downloadable version of this guide and to check out the sources referenced, go here:

ENGLISH: lush.com/us/en_us/a/trans-rights
or lush.com/ca/en_ca/a/trans-rights
SPANISH: lush.com/us/en_us/a/trans-rights

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