Savvy PR professionals are developing communication strategies that include trans identities to attract a more gender diverse audience.

21 Jan Allies – don’t be shy, come join us!

Posted at 11:24h in Blog by Aby Hawker

It’s interesting to see the ways in which different social media channels react to content posted in support of trans and non-binary people.

The most supportive channel I have found so far is LinkedIn (though I know from the experiences of my colleagues that anti-trans sentiment lurks there too). This is something that Max Siegel and Chris King often call out.

The difference, at least from what I can tell, is that on LinkedIn allies aren’t afraid to come out in support of trans individuals experiencing hate.

Other social channels, in particular Twitter and TikTok, would be so much nicer if allies also showed up there.

Anyone who follows me will know I recently embarked on a challenge to post daily tips for how to be a better ally to help other allies to feel more confident and their visibility in this area.

You can follow me here: https://lnkd.in/ekCG6cDJ

Last week one of my videos got more traction than they usually get – 3000+ views (compared with the usual 300) and almost 50 comments, and climbing. The post was on the inclusion of pronouns in your bio. It invites (and this is important) people wanting to be more active in their allyship to share them.

The majority of the comments were from people who felt enraged that I would suggest such a thing.

More *ahem* polite comments included:

– Why should I? I’ve managed for 60 years without them.

– So if I don’t add my pronouns, it demonstrates that I don’t understand or support?

– No, it just shows that you fawn to social fads and trends.

Then there are comments from the community explaining how important pronouns are for them (you know the ones actually impacted by bigotry as a result of their gender identity).

What’s notable is the lack of allies, shutting the conversation down. Pointing out that these individuals have come to the wrong place as this is to HELP PEOPLE WHO WANT TO DO BETTER, rather than to force people who clearly aren’t interested in standing in solidarity with trans and non-binary people to get on board.

I would love to see more allies adding their voices into the mix, rather than it always being left to trans and non-binary people to defend themselves.

Don’t be shy, come join us!