10:36, 09 June 2026
Words by Cheyanne Bryan, Editorial and Campaign Marketing Executive, London
It’s June and that means one thing - Pride Month is back!
This month, we’re highlighting the T in LGBTQ+ with this list of ways you can support transgender people this Pride Month and far beyond. When you’re part of the LGBTQ+ community, Pride Month is every month – discrimination happens all year round, and that’s why it’s so important for community members and allies to find new ways to be supportive.
Pride Month commemorates the anniversary of the Stonewall Riots, which took place over a number of days beginning on 28th June 1969. The month of June is dedicated to pride in the USA and all over the world in memory of what became a huge turning point in the world of LGBTQ+ rights.
The Stonewall Riots were a series of demonstrations that began on 28th June 1969 at the Stonewall Inn in Greenwich. The riots were sparked by a police raid, and the attempted arrest of many of the patrons of the inn, including sex workers, cross dressers and transgender people.
One of the most famous people who took part in the riots is Marsha P. Johnson, a black transwoman, sex worker and LGBTQ+ rights activist, who is sometimes known as the "Saint of Christopher Street". Johnson is one of the most well known LGBTQ+ activists in recent history, and is remembered for her work in the Stonewall Riots, as well as her passionate work for the rights of LGBTQ+ people and those with AIDS.
It’s a small thing for cisgender people, but it is one that counts. Putting your pronouns in your social media bios, or in your email signature reinforces and normalises the presence and open acknowledgement of pronouns.
There are so many talented, funny, creative transgender creators out there. They’re in big media like films and TV, in small fandom spaces, on TikTok and Instagram. Pride Month is as good a time as any to take a critical look at the creators you are engaging with and questioning if the list is as diverse as your beliefs, and if not, why not?
Are you following fewer transgender people because you haven’t found many who create content you enjoy, or because there are internal - or external - prejudices ongoing? Try actively engaging with transgender creators, especially when they are speaking up about causes important to the trans community.
We’ve all seen it - yet another book about a white cishet boy has been published and critically acclaimed, while minority stories are going abandoned and forgotten. That’s why it’s so important to have your say - publishers, movie makers, TV creators will go where the money is, so make sure they know that people are engaging with and enjoying content that features transgender characters. It worked for Sense8, and it will keep working.
With the caveat that you should always be careful about your personal safety, there are myraid opportunities to challenge discrimination in daily life. Perhaps its a new bathroom policy in the workplace that makes life hard for transgender colleagues, or something in your community, there are ways to safely push back and advocate for inclusion wherever possible.
Legislation in the UK has not been kind to transgender people as of late, but you can still make your voice heard in support of the trans community. If you notice something in your town or city that is negatively impacting transgender people, consider contacting your local MP. Speaking up shows that people who want positive change and a non-discriminatory society are in the majority, and that in turn can incite action.
You know we at Smiley News love charities – and if you didn’t, you should definitely check out our annual Smiley Charity Film Awards! - and there are so many great ones out there that are hard at work supporting transgender people.
Donating feels like the most obvious way to help charities out, but, especially if you are low on cash, there are plenty of other ways to help out. You can fundraise or volunteer, share important petitions and campaigns, and help to raise the profile of the charity to other people.
If you’re not sure where to begin, here are some suggestions:
Mermaids, if you’re particularly passionate about helping transgender youth.
TransPlus, for supporting transgender adults and healthcare.
Gendered Intelligence, for support groups and community building.
At Smiley Movement, we like to elevate the work of charities across the world. Here are three charities whose causes align with the themes in this article.
GLAAD. GLAAD is a massive LGBTQ+ advocacy group that helps fight for queer people across the US. Consider donating.
Lambda Legal. This organization helps fight in the courtroom for queer people. Find out more.
The Trevor Project. They focus on suicide prevention and mental health support for queer youth. Support them here.
This positive news article aligns with the UN SDG Gender Equality, Reduced Inequalities.
