How to Step Up as a Queer Ally 🏳️🌈
Watching Mylee's 20-year film production career fall apart as she transitioned to be a woman was terrifying and confirming. We try to slice and dice the wage gap between men and women by saying it is because men choose more dangerous jobs and women have less advanced degrees but women have earned more doctoral degrees than men since 2007. So when you take the same person, only change their gender, and they start earning about 60% of what they used to…you can see that gender-based wage discrimination and hiring discrimination is still alive in America. This was all before the current administration tried to executive order trans people out of existence and rollback the few protections they have. It's not getting any easier.
I'm writing today for your help. In June we celebrate 2SLGBTQIA+ people and our fight for equal rights. Pride began in 1969 in protest against police harassing black transwomen in NYC. (If you don't know the epic story, here's some highlights.) If you're on my list, it's likely that you're a Queer Ally or Queer yourself. If you're able, I'm asking you to do something for a Queer person now. I have 3 suggestion below.
Hire Queer People
Transwomen typically earn the least of all sexual identities…and that's just counting the employed. Queer people in general are twice as likely to be unemployed. Queer people who hold multiple identities like trans and Black are most likely to be unemployed or under-employed. Source: Human Rights Coalition
You say hiring is supposed to be fair and merit based? Well it never has been and it certainly won't be under this administration. Hire and support the people you care about.
Patronize Queer-Owned Businesses
Ask your 2SLGBTQIA+ friends what businesses they recommend. Queer businesses tend to be smaller and service-based. Coffee shops, fitness studios, tattoo artists, real estate agents, drug dealers, professional services, and online retailers like Etsy shops, are all good places to check.
Of course there is an app for that! Download Everywhere is Queer for businesses near you.
Give To A Queer Person
Money is the most direct way to improve a queer person's life. Online mutual aid drives make it easy to find a deserving person. Online funds are usually sent by cash app, venmo, or zelle. I was introduced to Tiff, a Black trans person in Tucson by Laila R. Makled, another trans person who creates amazing opportunities for collaboration & training.
You can give directly to Tiff using the info below or let me know if you'd like to be connected to their mutual aid team to give monthly.
