Think locally, act globally.
Trans rights are under attack globally, but the movement for trans liberation is organizing and educating, fighting back across borders to form a unified, resilient front. As we see new laws and policies stripping away rights—from bans on healthcare access in the U.S. to the erosion of legal recognition in Europe—trans activists are increasingly uniting on a global scale to respond with collective strength.
One example is the Unite! Advocate! Thrive! Global Trans Conference 2024, which will bring together 200 trans and gender-diverse activists from around the world in Munich to tackle the growing anti-gender and anti-rights movements. This gathering focuses on movement building, human rights advocacy, and health care strategies, forming a multi-year plan for coordinated global efforts 1 2.
Additionally, trans advocates are making waves at major international human rights events. For instance, during UN Trans Advocacy Week, activists engage directly with global bodies, including the UN Human Rights Council, to amplify their voices and influence trans-specific policies at the highest levels of governance. These efforts are crucial, as they offer trans activists from diverse regions the tools to fight back in their local contexts while connecting their work to a broader international movement.
One of the most significant aspects of this interconnected struggle is the shared strategies that activists in different regions are using. For example, grassroots organizations in Southern Africa, such as the Initiative for Equal Rights and galck+ in Nigeria and Kenya respectively, are leading the charge against harmful practices like conversion therapy. Meanwhile, trans groups in Europe and North America are focusing on resisting legislative rollbacks on healthcare access and legal recognition. By collaborating across borders, activists are learning from each other’s successes and failures, helping to shape more effective strategies to combat anti-trans legislation, healthcare bans, societal discrimination, and to aid each other in the intersectional struggles for equality, dignity, and safety, conditions every human being deserves. Events like these emphasize the need for collaboration and mutual support, offering spaces for activists to rejuvenate and strategize, especially those in hostile environments.
As inspiring as this international cooperation is, it’s crucial to recognize that the success of these global movements hinges on sustained local action. While international conferences and advocacy groups provide the momentum and structure for global change, it’s up to each of us to educate, mobilize, and take action in our own communities. Local organizing—whether through education, direct action, or policy advocacy—remains the backbone of the global trans movement. To truly harness the power of this global network, we must ensure that our voices, stories, and experiences are at the forefront of the fight for trans rights in our cities, schools, and workplaces.
- https://gate.ngo/knowledge-portal/event/unite-advocate-thrive-global-trans-conference-2024/ ↩︎
- https://www.transfund.org/2024/05/future-frontiers-of-trans-activism/ ↩︎