Just a really, really long list of cisgender people who’ve come out loudly and proudly for trans equality
Dwyane Wade, Zaya Wade and Gabrielle Union pose for the cameras (Andrew Toth/Getty)
March 31 is Trans Day of Visibility, a day to honour and celebrate the trans and non-binary communities around the world.
But the perils of increased visibility for transgender and non-binary people are well-documented.
Whether that’s the violence trans women of colour experience or transphobic politicians reacting to potential steps forward for trans rights by trying to take our existing rights away, the increasing visibility of the trans community in the past decade has been met with a backlash from many quarters.
And, while the transphobic lobby has always been loud in comparison to their number, it seems that trans allies have not always felt the need to be as vocal in their support for trans rights.
But in the last year, there have been an avalanche of high-profile people coming out to support trans and non-binary people.
From comedians and popstars to chefs and actors, this is a long list of people who, to be honest, are only really the tip of the iceberg when it comes to support for our community.
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
Whether it’s turning up on a viral Twitch livestream to talk about trans rights or casually including trans people in a committee meeting about parental leave, AOC has been steadfast in including and supporting trans and non-binary people in her politics.
Don Cheadle.
The Avengers star quietly showed solidarity by wearing a t-shirt bearing the slogan “protect trans kids” when he hosted NBC’s Saturday Night Live.
Don Cheadle wore a ‘protect trans kids’ t-shirt
HBomberGuy.
After Graham Linehan targeted Mermaids, a charity that supports trans children, HBomberGuy – real name Harry Brewis – decided to raise money for Mermaids by livestreaming himself playing Donkey Kong 64. He raised $300,000 for trans kids.
Harry Styles.
Not just a lesbian icon, the singer kicked off his last worldwide tour by waving a trans flag onstage at a gig in Washington.
Hozier.
The “Take Me to Church” singer also has a penchant for waving the trans flag onstage at his gigs.
Irish singer Hozier hoisted a trans flag that a fan threw on stage. (Twitter)
Iceland.
No, not the frozen food shop. Icelandic politicians unanimously voted to pass a major new gender identity law last June, which expands the rights of trans people and legally recognises non-binary people for the first time.
Lorraine Kelly.
From shutting down anti-trans former Olympians to slamming the media for making trans people’s lives into a “debate”, the daytime TV presenter came out swinging for the trans community this year.
Rick Riordan.
The bestselling author behind the Percy Jackson series went viral with his surgically precise destruction of a transphobic Twitter troll who wanted “less gender dysphoria” in his books.
Ruth Hunt.
The ex-Stonewall boss and fourth-ever lesbian to sit in the House of Lords used her first maiden speech and her first big media interview since taking up the role to advocate for trans rights. Specifically, Hunt talked about how the legal quirks of same-sex marriage legislation negatively impact married trans people who wish to change their legal gender.
Charlize Theron.
The actress revealed her oldest child is trans last year, and said that her job as a mother is to celebrate and love her children regardless of their identities.
Chris Jericho.
The wrestling legend came out as a massive trans ally after meeting trans wrestler Nyla Rose. He then had possibly the best ever comeback to a transphobe who kept asking him why he was using “her” to refer to Rose: “Go study the transgender process and get back to me, junior.”
Wrestling stars Chris Jericho and Nyla Rose. (Instagram/chrisjerichofozzy)
Dame Helen Mirren.
Dame Helen said she’s “not a TERF“, that trans women are women, and that she realised “an awfully long time ago” that gender and sexuality are both on a spectrum.
David Paisley.
The gay actor, who’s been actively supporting trans people online for quite some time now, went a step further a few weeks ago by promising nudes to all those who filled in a vital Scottish consultation on trans rights.
Elizabeth Warren.
She’s repeatedly used her platform to advocate for trans people – too many times to list. Despite promises from other presidential candidates to the trans community, Warren is still the only one to highlight the epidemic of violence against trans women of colour in the debates.
Flora.
Yep, the margarine brand. Owner Upfield cut ties with parenting website Mumsnet due to its “transphobic” content.
Frankie Boyle.
The Scottish comedian, who had no real history of either supporting or making jokes about the trans community, stunned and delighted fans by coming out swinging for trans rights in January.
https://twitter.com/frankieboyle/status/1222854895931469827?s=20
Jupiter.
Trans solidarity reached outer space when the solar system’s largest planet made the groundbreaking decision to come out in favour of trans rights.
Jupiter has come out as a trans ally, and, in an official statement, said it needs space from transphobes. (NASA)
Jameela Jamil.
In response to online “gender critical” activists having a rebrand, The Good Place star warned that scare stories about trans people are part of an “insidious pattern” used against other minority groups.
https://twitter.com/jameelajamil/status/1188540876605149184?s=20
Little Mix.
Two of the band, Jade Thirlwall and Leigh-Anne Pinnock, marched with trans kids charity Mermaids at Pride in London.
Little Mix stars Jade Thirlwall and Leigh-Anne Pinnock at Pride in London (Mermaids)
Lizzo.
In a cover interview with Rolling Stone magazine, the star used her platform to speak out for Black trans women.
Lizzo appears on the February cover of Rolling Stone
Literally hundreds of feminists.
After The Guardian published yet another anti-trans editorial, hundreds and hundreds of feminists wrote to the paper rejecting the baseless claim that trans rights threaten women.
And hundreds of Guardian staff.
Soon after, hundreds of Guardian staff rose up in protest of the paper’s “pattern of transphobic content” in another letter to the editor, Katherine Viner.
And then, there were thousands of trans allies.
And then, thousands – 2,236, to be precise – more trans allies wrote to The Guardian, protesting its “pattern of abusive articles about trans people“. Whilst it’s obviously preferable for people to support trans rights not in response to transphobia, it was a very heartening moment after quite a shit week for the trans and non-binary community.
Mara Wilson, Matilda star.
The bisexual actress had a blistering response after a certain multi-millionaire children’s author sent a “transphobic” tweet. Wilson later added that she never gets more online abuse than when she stands up for trans people.
I will probably be muting this, really don’t get how trans people being who they are and who they want to be takes away from feminism and threatens women. I’m sure there are some trans people who are awful, because there are all kinds of people who are awful.
— Mara Wilson (@MaraWilson) December 19, 2019
Trans Rights Spice!
Mel C spoke out about transphobia in the UK in a November interview. She also did the popstar favourite and waved a trans pride flag onstage at Brighton Pride last summer.
Mel C showed her support for trans rights at Brighton Pride.
Mhairi Black.
The Scottish politician has consistently showed up for the trans and non-binary community, condemning the “toxic” fearmongering of certain feminists in response to a potential small improvement in trans rights. “I’m the person with the power and I’m not leaving trans people behind,” the lesbian MP said.
Nicola Coughlin.
“I often get asked about my skincare routine,” the Derry Girls star shared in February.
“And my main tip to keep your skin clear would be not to attack marginalised communities like trans and non-binary people on Twitter,” she said, coupled with a radiant pic of the actor’s flawless complexion that says trans rights!
Nigella Lawson.
👇🏻 https://t.co/cFgc1NdQ46— Nigella Lawson (@Nigella_Lawson) January 21, 2020
Owen Jones.
The gay Guardian journalist has used his big online platform to back trans people, support trans rights and dunk on transphobes more times than we can count. A true ally.
Senior politicians.
The Labour leadership contest (which is, unbelievably, still going) meant that multiple senior Labour MPs joined their colleagues in other parties and restated their support for trans rights. This included Emily Thornberry, Keir Starmer, Rebecca Long-Bailey, Dawn Butler, Jess Phillips, Jo Swinson and Adam Price.
Reni Eddo-Lodge.
The award-winning author of Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People About Race sent a simple tweet making her position on trans rights emphatically clear.
https://twitter.com/renireni/status/1235240447292866560?s=20
Roxane Gay.
The US writer and commentator has one thing to say to anti-trans feminists: “[You] should know better, having been marginalised as women throughout history and today.” Amen.
Writer Roxane Gay attends the Feminist AF Panel at Vulture Festival in Los Angeles, California.(TARA ZIEMBA/AFP/Getty)
Sadiq Khan.
London’s mayor has been an outspoken LGBT+ ally throughout his time in office, and in February he made an emphatic statement in support of trans rights after media attacks on the party’s leadership candidate over their firm support for trans equality.
Khan tweeted: “Trans women are women. Trans men are men. Non-binary people are non-binary. All gender identities are valid.”
Tarana Burke.
The civil rights activist and #MeToo founder told Rihanna that her biggest failure was not supporting her kid when they came out to her as non-binary – but she’s now a proud parent and firm ally. “All lives really do matter! All Black lives, all queer lives, all trans lives,” Burke said.
The Second Shelf.
London’s feminist bookshop is proudly and loudly trans-inclusive, so much so that every time it sells a JK Rowling book it donates the money to trans kids charity Mermaids.
Yungblud.
The rock singer revealed that a track on his new album was inspired by meeting a transgender fan, and pays homage to the man’s story of transitioning with the support of his parents.
Yungblud performs on stage at Fabrique Club on November 2, 2019 in Milan, Italy. (Sergione Infuso/Corbis via Getty Images)
Zaya Wade’s parents.
Delivering masterclass after masterclass on how to love and support your trans kid, Dwyane Wade and Gabrielle Union’s pride in Zaya and commitment to supporting her is truly a lesson in acceptance for us all.
Dwyane Wade, Zaya Wade and Gabrielle Union pose for the cameras (Andrew Toth/Getty)
