Simple Actions to Support Transgender Inclusion

5 min

Even if policy doesn't always support
transgender colleagues, you still can.

A few ways to demonstrate your support:

1. Leave assumptions aside

Don’t assume you can tell what gender a person is, who they're attracted to, or what their interests are simply by appearance.

2. Be sensitive to names and pronouns

Always use the name that your colleague asks you to use – even if it means changing what you're used to. If they don't bring up pronouns, just ask. For example, say, "I realized we've never discussed pronouns. I use she and her. What about you?"

3. Do your own research

You might have a few questions. But don’t expect someone to satisfy your curiosity with their personal history. To learn more, Google it – and don’t bring up gender identity unless they do.

4. Give it time

If you find yourself slipping up with your colleague’s name or pronoun, relax. Change can be hard. But it’s still possible, and your colleague will appreciate your effort.

Quiz 1 of 1

Your friend just came to you with a concern: her colleague recently transitioned, and she's feeling nervous about forgetting to use the right name and pronouns when speaking with them. Which of the following is the best thing that can you tell her?

a
If she accidentally uses the out-of-date name, it will make her transgender colleague feel unsupported.
b
She should try her best, mistakes happen.
c
She should avoid speaking to this person for a few weeks until she has retrained herself.
d
Asking one's colleagues to change is unfair; her coworker should only update her name at home.

Lesson complete

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