ALLIES WELCOME AT TR ANS EVENTS

might be good friends with someone who is trans or have a neighbor or family member who hasn’t come out to them … because they don’t feel safe.”

According to an October report by the American Academy of Pediatrics, more than half of transgender male teenagers and nearly 30 percent of transgender female teenagers have attempted suicide in their lifetimes.

“The more we can make spaces in our lives more inclusive and welcoming, the more people can come out and live their authentic lives,” Bernabei said. “Even if you don’t identify (as trans or nonbinary), it’s important for you to send that message of love, acceptance and inclusivity.”

So how can and allies better show support for trans people?

Jamie Lee Sprague-ballou, founder and director of Las Vegas Transpride Week, said the most important thing for allies to do is simple: Show up.

“The people who show up (at events) are the people from our own community and only a handful of allies,” Sprague-ballou said. “And yet there’s a lot more people that say they’re our allies. If you are, where are you?”

Jenna Robertson, a mother and advocate for trans and special-needs students, echoed Ballou’s statements, adding that parents needed to educate themselves and teach their children to be more accepting of peoples’ differences.

“If you see a gender diverse person on the street, it’s not (OK) to point them out and laugh. It’s not a joke; it’s not a punchline,” Robertson said. “When we learn that a joke at the expense of a trans person hurts somebody, we need to do better.”

Las Vegas Transpride week kicked off on Tuesday, with events scheduled daily through Monday, including a human rights march Friday that begins on Fashion Show Drive in front of Nordstrom’s, across from Trump International Las Vegas.

If you’re wondering if allies are welcomed, Sprague-ballou gives a resounding “Yes. We want allies to be out there celebrating with us. They’re a part of us. As trans people, we welcome everybody into our circle.”