Aired Mar 30, 2023

What Does it Mean to be a Transgender Role Model?

The Transgender Day of Visibility on March 31 was founded by transgender activist Rachel Crandall in 2009 to celebrate the contributions that trans and nonbinary people make to the world. It is also an opportunity to shed light on the discrimination that they face both in the US and around the globe.

We hosted a conversation about this article as a part of PFLAG Connects and Something to Talk About Live on Thursday, March 30. Did you miss it? You can still watch it here!

Article: Zaya Wade, in her own words: Dwyane Wade’s daughter on being a ‘microphone’ for trans youth

Source: USA Today

Author: Naledi Ushe

Questions for Discussion:

1. What does it mean to you to be a role model? Do you think that extra pressure is placed on people from marginalized communities — like trans and nonbinary individuals — to serve as role models?
2.  If you were looking for information about the experiences of trans and nonbinary elders or about the contributions of trans and nonbinary people throughout history, what resources would you use?
3.  Zaya Wade talks about finding joy and finding peace in fashion. What can parents, caregivers, and/or allies do to help young trans and nonbinary people find joy and peace in their lives?

Bonus Resources: Check out “How historians are documenting the lives of transgender people” from National Geographic by Erin Blakemore and these resources about Transgender Day of Visibility from PFLAG.

About Our Guests:

Aiden Aizumi, President, PFLAG Pasadena

Ways to Watch:

Something to Talk About Live is a series designed by PFLAG National’s Straight for Equality program to create conversation about LGBTQ+ issues. Each week we offer an article on LGBTQ+ topics and suggest a few questions you can use to lead a discussion with your ERG, community group, or PFLAG chapter.