Lush put trans issues front and centre with this display.
Lush Cosmetics have placed a call for trans rights in the windows of their 250 North American shops in a bid to raise awareness about the struggles faced by the trans community in the US and around the world. Over the next two weeks, Lush hopes to start a meaningful discussion about trans rights, through the window displays, which feature messages from trans people that desperately need to be heard, their customized #TransRightsAreHumanRights profile picture filter for social media, and a series of short films about trans people.
Aside from raising awareness, Lush will also be distributing a guide on how to be an ally to the trans community in all of its stores, and selling a limited-edition Inner Truth bath melt in order to raise $450,000 for trans rights charities that seek to empower trans youth and create safer a environment for them.
Carleen Pickard, Ethical Campaigns Specialist at Lush, said: “As an inclusive employer which champions equality, we simply can’t stand by knowing our co-workers fear for their lives should they choose to live their true selves in public. Our campaign aims to shed light on these daily discriminations and provide impactful tips individuals can use to make all spaces safer.”
The beauty brand, which is as well known for its activism as its bath bombs, is working with the National Center for Transgender Equality and The Canadian Centre for Gender and Sexual Diversity on this campaign, which comes at a time when trans rights are under attack.
What are the big problems facing trans people?
Trans people across the world face discrimination in almost every area of life and often it can seem as if their basic human rights are being erased or ignored, which leads to the shocking statistic that 41% of trans people attempt suicide. The National Transgender Discrimination Survey found three key areas– safety, employment, and housing- in which trans people in the US are heavily suffering. Let’s look at those in more detail.
Safety.
There is no more basic human right than that of safety, but trans people face higher rates of physical and sexual violence than any other group, with trans people of color reporting the highest rates overall. It starts in school, with 78% of trans youth being bullied, and continues well into adult life, with almost half of trans people disclosing that they have been sexually assaulted.
Worldwide, at least 300 trans people were murdered in 2017, although these numbers could be underreported because of social stigmas, a lack of proper investigations, and even people not reporting the crime to police.
Housing.
Did you know that trans people are twice as likely as cisgender people to be made homeless and that 30% of trans people have experienced homelessness? Why are the numbers so high?
Part of the reason is that trans youth coming out to their parents may be forced to leave unless they go back in the closet and part of it is that trans adults may be denied rental accommodation or even evicted because of their gender identity.
Employment.
Even getting the money to pay for housing can be difficult as trans people face discrimination in employment, ranging from harassment and discrimination to outright losing their jobs. Almost 20% of the survey’s respondents reported that had been forced into so-called underground economies (i.e. sex work, drugs trafficking, etc) in order to survive.
What can I do to help?
If you’re interested in being an ally to the trans community, there are many ways to help.
Educate yourself.
Reading up about problems facing trans people and educating yourself about trans issues- especially in your area- will help you decide what action is needed on your part to tackle trans discrimination.
It will also help you know what language to use, what questions you should ask (i.e. preferred pronouns), and why you should never out anybody (although, most of you probably get that).
Good places to start learning? GLADD, Human Rights Campaign, National Center for Transgender Equality and The Canadian Centre for Gender and Sexual Diversity.
Donate money.
If you can afford to, donate money to an organization that helps protect trans people and their rights. Even if you can’t donate on a regular basis, many allow you to make one-off donations.
Advocate for the Trans community.
If you sign up to receive newsletters from your trans charity of choice, then they will have lots of useful information about their campaigns which will help you advocate on behalf of trans people.
This might be something like signing a national petition against barring trans people from the army, writing to your local politician about housing discrimination, or contacting your child’s school about allowing trans kids to use the bathroom that matches their gender identity.
Now, it’s time for you to tell me. What do you think of Lush’s campaign? What else can people do to help the trans community? Let me know in the comments below.