For American transgender people, their rights are considered by many to be in jeopardy now more than ever, which is why the #TransLawHelp campaign was created. Circulating on Twitter, the hashtag is being utilized by those who need help with paperwork that allows them to officially change their gender.
This includes adjusting what's written on their passports, birth certificates, Social Security cards and other documents that state their sex. As Mashable reports, #TransLawHelp is especially important after the 2016 election results due to the fact that certain rulings could cause them to face more discrimination.
In addition to the helpful hashtag, an open document was created on Google to allow lawyers willing to lend their assistance to provide their information. The goal is to ensure all transgender people wishing to do so have their documentation settled before January.
Crowdsourced Lawyer Hashtags
#TransLawHelp Connects Lawyers with U.S. Transgender People in Need
Trend Themes
1. Crowdsourced Legal Assistance - #TransLawHelp highlights the potential for utilizing social media to connect lawyers with those in need of legal aid
2. Civil Rights Advocacy - The increased use of hashtags to promote justice highlights the potential for advocacy through digital and social media
3. Digital Nomadism - The open document on Google highlights the potential for crowd-sourced, virtual networks and collaborations
Industry Implications
1. Social Media - The capacity to reach a large audience through hashtags on platforms like Twitter highlights the increasing role of social media in promoting social issues
2. Legal Services - The utilization of open documents for crowdsourced projects highlights changes currently taking place in legal industry, particularly around collaboration and access
3. Civil Rights - The potential for crowdsourcing to make an impact in promoting marginalized groups' rights highlights opportunities for innovation and partnership within and beyond civil rights advocacy