I've been seeing that picture going around again that tells you to "repost this if trans people are welcome and safe with you", so I guess it's time to bring this up again:

I understand the intention, but it's really not as helpful as you might think. Like most marginalized groups, trans folks often have to deal with being told that they are 'welcome' somewhere, only to discover that there are hidden conditions attached - don't act too queer, don't act too outspoken, don't be too weird, don't be too sexual, and so on.

The result is that "trans people are welcome with me" is a meaningless statement - we have no idea whether that is actually true, or whether you just *believe* that that is the case, but have never engaged with the subject enough to understand what that really entails.

Intention alone is just not sufficient to provide safety; you also need to do the work of actually understanding what is needed and providing those things.

So again, I understand the intention, but this doesn't really help. The best way to show trans folks that they are safe with you, and that you are *capable* of creating that safety, is to *act* as such, rather than just *saying* it.

Proactively speak out against abuse that trans people receive, extend an open offer of help in whatever way is needed to the trans folks in your social circles, and so on.

I can't speak for everyone of course, and it's possible that there are trans folks for whom such posts *are* helpful. But I don't think I've ever talked to any trans folks who felt that way, at least that I know of.