Rise Above Coffee is proud to be the LGBTQ+ Coffee that gives back, and each month we feature a non-profit doing exceptional work in the LGBTQ+ community. This June, we’re shining a spotlight on the National Center for Transgender Equality.

A Need for Meaningful Transgender Advocacy

The National Center for Transgender Equality (NCTE) was founded in 2003 by transgender activists who realized there was an urgent need for policy change to help advance transgender equality. NCTE was created to fill a need for meaningful transgender advocacy in Washington DC; something that had never been done before. 

Since then, it has grown into a team of hardworking staff with an extensive record of winning lifesaving change for transgender people. 

Based on current statistics within the transgender community, the need for change is definitely urgent.

  • 1 in 4 trans people have lost a job due to bias, and at least 75% have been subjected to some form of workplace discrimination.
  • More than 1 in 4 trans people are survivors of bias-driven assault, and rates are even higher for trans women and trans people of color.
  • 1 in 10 transgender people have been evicted because of their gender identity, and 1 in 5 have experienced homelessness at some point.
  • There are currently 15,000+ trans people serving in the U.S. Military. There are also an estimated 134,000 transgender Veterans. 

A Wealth of Resources

The NCTE website provides a wealth of information and resources for transgender people, as well as trans allies and advocates. 

Advancing Legislation on Transgender Issues

In a collection of resources on nearly 20 topics that affect trans people, NCTE provides up to date information on existing laws and policies, and what you can do to help improve the laws and policies in your area. 

Here are just a few of the issues discussed:

  • Anti-Violence – resources addressing the pervasive issue of anti-trans violence, including the Transgender Rights Toolkit.
  • Employment – resources on trans-welcoming workplace policies and non-discrimination laws.
  • Families – laws that affect trans parents, children, and their families.
  • Identity and Privacy – policies and laws pertaining to identity documents and privacy, and how you can improve policies in your state.
  • Military and Veterans – resources to help you understand your rights within the Department of Defense and the Veterans Administration. 
  • Voting Rights – a checklist of voting rights to help navigate bias or misunderstandings of the law when exercising the right to vote.  

Know Your Rights + Self-Help Guides

While advocates work to expand and strengthen legal protections for transgender people, it’s also important to know what you can do if you face transgender discrimination personally. NCTE offers information on more than a dozen topics for every state that help you know your rights in most aspects of life. 

Within each topic, you may gain a better understanding of what legally constitutes discrimination and how to protect and advocate for yourself in a variety of situations, from obtaining passports and navigating airport security to accessing Medicare or Social Security. 

NCTE also offers in-depth, self-help guides for some of the most complex and pressing issues trans people face. These include navigating health care coverage, completing name and gender changes on state and federal ids and records, and accessing transgender-informed legal services.

Take Action

If you are looking for ways to get involved, there are several avenues of advocacy to support NCTE’s fight for equality.

  • Be a part of an Action Center – fight for equality at a state or national level
  • Join Families for Trans Equality – the support network for families of trans youth
  • Join Voices for Trans Equality – empowering transgender people and allies so they can better advocate for transgender rights
  • Support NCTE Directly – all donations directly support NCTE’s work

Coffee for a Cause

The National Center for Transgender Equality is committed to bringing about a more equitable society for trans people. In support of their invaluable work, we’re introducing Pride[https://www.riseabovecoffeeco.com/products/pride] as our June #coffeeforacause. During the month of June, purchase our Pride coffee and a portion of the proceeds will be donated directly to NCTE. 

To learn more about the National Center for Transgender Equality, visit their website and follow them on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.