Growing Transgender Allyship in SEYM
At the 2020 SEYM Winter Executive Committee Meeting, concerns were brought forward that we needed to work on how we accept and welcome transgender people in our communities. Friends united on this minute:
Because we firmly hold our belief that there is that of God in each of us, SEYM Executive Committee calls on Monthly Meetings to become more actively affirming communities for transgender and gender non-conforming people by building relevant knowledge and skills among Friends. Meetings are requested to report back by the Winter Interim Business Meeting 2021.
On December 1, SEYM held a workshop on Growing Transgender Allyship in SEYM.
Facilitators Stephanie Preston (Orlando)(she/her), Vincent Cosomano (Miami), Sara Humphrey (Orlando; she/her) discussed how assumptions, judgments, and other lapses in mindfulness can cause unintended harm and stress for trans people, and create an unwelcoming environment. They educated us on gender-related language and affirming language and behaviors. We discussed goals for becoming transgender allies and promoting efforts to welcome trans people to our Meetings.
Stephanie, Vincent, and Sara have put together these resources for SEYM Friends, Meetings, and Worship Groups for study, sharing, and discussion; to help us be truly welcoming and affirming to all.
Resources for Growing Transgender & LGBTQ Allyship
Trans Allyship Workshop Powerpoint slides
Gender Identity Spectrum (diagram)
Tip-sheet on creating affirming spaces for LGBTQ youth American Counseling Association
Non-Binary, Gender Fluid, & Gender-Expansive Youth – FAQ for Parents & Guardians
Impacts of Strong Parental Support for Trans Youth
Transgender & Non-Binary Websites + Books
Online Resources
Pronouns FAQ: Everything you need to know about trans-inclusive pronoun use
Statement signed by 2600+ scientists from academic institutions, professional organizations, and research entities affirming transgender and non-binary individuals
64 Terms That Describe Gender Identity and Expression
Answers to Your Questions About Transgender People, Gender Identity, & Gender Expression American Psychological Association
List of Trans Books, Films, Healthcare Resources, and Veterans Information, Zander Keig, LCSW (2020 National Social Worker of the Year)
PFLAG (Parents & Friends of Lesbians and Gays)
Human Rights Campaign
Supporting & Caring For Transgender Children
The National LGBT Health Education Center of The Fenway Institute
Gender Spectrum: Creating Gender Inclusive Environments
Books
A Guide to Gender: The Social Justice Advocate’s Handbook available in eBook & paperback
Love Lives Here: A Story of Thriving in a Transgender Family Paperback (August 2019) by Amanda Jette Knox
Families in Transition: Parenting Gender Diverse Children, Adolescents, and Young Adults (April 2019)
The Transgender Teen: A Handbook for Parents and Professionals Supporting Transgender and Non-Binary Teens (2016)
I Promised Not to Tell: Raising a Transgender Child (2016)
The Gender Quest Workbook: A Guide for Teens and Young Adults Exploring Gender (2015)
The Gender Creative Child: Pathways for Nurturing and Supporting Children Who Live Outside Gender Boxes (2016)
You and Your Gender Identity: A Guide to Discovery (2017)
Love, Always: Partners of Trans People on Intimacy, Challenge and Resilience (2015)
Trans Kin: A Guide for Family & Friends of Transgender People (2012)
Trans Bodies, Trans Selves: A Resource for the Transgender Community (2014)
Red: A Crayon’s Story (2015)
Gender Born, Gender Made: Raising Healthy Gender-Nonconforming Children (2011)
LGBTQ+ Affirmative/Progressive Christian Books
A Farewell to Mars: An Evangelical Pastor’s Journey Toward the Biblical Gospel of Peace by Brian Zahnd
Transforming: The Bible and the Lives of Transgender Christians by Austen Hartke
Embracing the Journey: A Christian Parents’ Blueprint to Loving Your LGBTQ Child by Greg and Lynn McDonald
Walking the Bridgeless Canyon: Repairing the Breach Between the Church and the LGBT Community by Kathy Baldock
Torn: Rescuing the Gospel from the Gays-vs.-Christians Debate by Justin Lee
Why Churches Need to Talk about Sexuality: Lessons Learned from Hard Conversations about Sex, Gender, Identity, and the Bible by Mark Wingfield
Ancient Laws and Contemporary Controversies: The Need for Inclusive Biblical Interpretation by Cheryl B. Anderson