How I've changed the way I interact on Twitter and returned to the type of advocacy I did before I entered politics in 2017 (a thread):

My following has increased dramatically thanks to JK Rowling threatened me with lawyers. In the past, I've used Twitter primarily to communicate with others around provincial politics, but with so many trans people now following me, I feel I have a heightened responsibility.

I'm standing up to the hatred that is thrown at trans people, I'm asking questions to understand people's experiences better and what they need in terms of support, and I'm putting out positive messages.

I have not strayed from my roots as a trans advocate, but my involvement in politics has meant that I haven't had as much time for the grassroots activism.

That's not necessarily a bad thing, because I think I've been doing important work regardless, but folks in politics are now seeing a side of me that they may not have seen since before I entered the political scene in 2017.

I may have lost some supporters because of this, I'm not concerned with that because I think everyone needs to learn how to be a better ally.

The reason we have such a high suicide rate among trans people, the reason we struggle to come out, the reason we can't find jobs, get harassed in washrooms, lose friends and family and have so much internalized transphobia is because of the society we live in.

Trans people cannot create societal change on our own, we need your help. This is the case no matter what marginalized group you belong to. We're seeing this with #blacklivesmatter right now.

It takes people in positions of privilege recognizing their privilege and putting in the work to be better allies.

I tweeted this today for that very reason. https://twitter.com/NicESpurling/status/1277013473558323200?s=20

I'm writing this thread to remind you that calling yourself an ally is great, but if you stay silent, your allyship doesn't mean a whole lot.

As a marginalized person, navigating this world can feel lonely. Please take the time to let those around you know that you are safe person to come to, that you will provide support to those who need it, that you will educate the ignorant and that you will stand up to prejudice.

Put in the work and make yourself known as an ally so the world will seem a little less devoid of support.