Support crossdressers. They have always been sisters to trans people. They have always been in the movement together with us. They have stood by us for about a century. Shame on you if your 21st century trans movement has no place for crossdressers.

All that shit transmisogyny from drag performers in gay bars or on tv? Crossdressers have no part in that. They did not make that culture. Crossdressing isn’t a performance, it’s a way to express parts of your identity. It is genderexpression. It is for many an essential part of living authentically and happily. Call crossdressers by their pronouns. Their experience of their own life is real regardless of whether it fits your idea of how gender identity works.

Support crossdressers when our oppressive world hurts them. They are abandoned by families, bullied, fired, driven to suicide and beaten up for existing like we are. Intensity of experiences may vary but that has always been true for all of us. Don’t fall for stereotypes that set up crossdressers as rich old white people who somehow have all the privilege. They’re as diverse a population as the rest of us and there is a scared crossdressing teen in every neighbourhood looking for a safe space and dreaming of a supportive community.

Have a place for crossdressers in your parade, they fought for us. Have a place for crossdressers in your community, they’re always called it home. Have a place for crossdressing teens in your youth group, you’ll save lives.