As transphobic hate crimes rise by 11% in a year, how to be a better ally

Sign up to our free Living Well email for advice on living a happier, healthier and longer life Live your life healthier and happier with our free weekly Living Well newsletter Live your life healthier and happier with our free weekly Living Well newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. “What we’re seeing in today’s Britain is a horrifying reality of anti-trans narratives that are spreading across media and from high profile politicians, and the Home Office themselves have admitted it is a likely cause of rising violence,” Robbie de Santos, director of external affairs at LGBTQ+ charity Stonewall, told the PA news agency. Ambassadors for LGBTQ+ young people’s charity Just Like Us share their advice for allies… Talk about it Your loved ones may not know anyone who is trans, or understand what it means to be transgender. Trans people are a small minority and allies need to take action, show others that trans people exist and are just trying to live their lives.” Matty Robins, 20, adds: “Personally, my friends reposting Instagram posts from transgender people in need, or anything about Trans Day of Visibility or Trans Day of Remembrance, for example, has been one of the biggest displays of allyship to me.” Reach out Every trans person may be facing something different. Challenge hate and discrimination “Trans people need allies standing up for us,” explains Robins.