Episode 131
#131 | Why Staying Silent About Anti-Trans Laws Is Dangerous—And What Real LGBTQ Allies Must Do Now
Summary
The ACLU and Human Rights Commission are reporting a record number of anti-trans bills
proposed in the United States for the fourth consecutive year, with almost 600 in 2024 alone.
Combined with an increase in reported hate crimes and discrimination targeting the trans
community, there has never been a more critical time to educate the public and encourage
allyship.
In this conversation, Heather welcomes three extraordinary guests: Jeannie Gainsburg, Jayna Sheats, and Kate Brooks to discuss their motivations for writing their books and the importance of allyship and pronouns. Kate wrote her book to provide support and affirmation for parents of transgender children, Jeannie wrote her book to guide allies in supporting the LGBTQ+ community, and Jayna wrote her novel to humanize the transgender experience. They emphasize the need for allies to create safe spaces and educate themselves about gender identity. They also discuss the importance of using correct pronouns and normalizing the practice of sharing pronouns. The conversation covers various topics related to allyship, the upcoming election, and parenting LGBTQ+ teens. They all share personal stories and provide practical tips for taking action and supporting transgender individuals.
Takeaways
- Writing books that provide support and affirmation for transgender individuals and their families is important in creating a more inclusive society.
- Allyship is crucial in supporting the LGBTQ+ community, and allies can create safe spaces and educate themselves about gender identity.
- Using correct pronouns and normalizing the practice of sharing pronouns is a respectful and inclusive action.
- Transgender youth face unique challenges, and allyship and affirmation from parents and society can greatly impact their well-being.
- Humanizing the transgender experience through storytelling can help mitigate fear and hate towards the community. Showing allyship can be done in various ways, such as using correct pronouns and providing support and advice to others.
- Practical actions for the upcoming election include participating in postcard campaigns and sharing information through writing and speaking.
- Acceptance and affirmation are crucial for transgender children, and parents should believe and support their child's gender identity.
- Practicing pronouns and using the 'switch it' technique can help improve gender inclusivity in language.
- The conversation highlights the importance of understanding the stakes of the election and the potential impact on the LGBTQ+ community.
Bios
Authors/Activists/Mothers Jayna Sheats, a trans woman, Jeannie Gainsburg, an LGBTQ+ ally,
and Kate Brookes, parent of a trans teenager, are teaming up to share their message of
acceptance and increase understanding of the issues facing the trans community. Sheats,
Gainsburg, and Brookes say anger and hate often disguise fear of the trans community. By
sharing their stories and offering best-practice tips for support, they hope to counter the
discrimination, help humanize the trans experience, and encourage all people to become allies.
Jayna Sheats (she/her) is the author of Hanna’s Ascent. She is also a noted chemist and
entrepreneur, who has published over 60 articles and started 3 companies. Today she lives in
Northern California with her children.
Jeannie Gainsburg (she/her) is the founder of Savvy Ally Action and is an award-winning
educational trainer and consultant in LGBTQ+ inclusion and allyship. The second edition of her
book, The Savvy Ally: A Guide for Becoming a Skilled LGBTQ+ Advocate, is now available.
Jeannie lives with her husband in Upstate New York.
Kate Brookes (she/her) is a former TV reporter/anchor turned writer/producer/filmmaker. Her
memoir, Transister: Raising Twins in a Gender-Bending World, was published last summer.
These days she produces videos for non-profits and speaks to schools, hospitals and groups
about raising a trans child.
Links Mentioned
https://www.turnoutpac.org/postcards/
https://www.inequalitymedia.org/aboutus.
More Human. More Kind. formerly Just Breathe: Parenting Your LGBTQ Teen explores connection, courage, and community for every concerned parent, mom, or ally navigating fear, grief, and bigotry with hope, resilience, and empathy. Through open-minded education, inclusive parenting guidance, and advocacy for mental health and safety, we support LGBTQ youth and stand for human rights and social justice. More Human. More Kind. empowers listeners to shift their mindset, embrace activism and allyship, and lead with kindness, healing, and purpose.
Hi, I’m Heather Hester, and I’m so glad you’re here!
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At the heart of my work is a deep commitment to compassion, authenticity, and transformative allyship, especially for those navigating the complexities of parenting LGBTQ+ kids. Through this podcast, speaking, my writing, and the spaces I create, I help people unlearn bias, embrace their full humanity, and foster courageous, compassionate connection.
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