Passive solidarity does not keep our community safe. Real allyship requires showing up with your time, your physical body, your privilege, and your resources.
Show Up, Shine Anyway is an eight-page guide to moving beyond symbolic support. It covers how to use privilege as a shield, pass the mic, build visible safety in public spaces, and care for the community garden through steady, quiet work.
Page 1: The cover
SHOW UP, SHINE ANYWAY
A visible, actionable guide to ACTIVE ALLYSHIP and RADICAL JOY
A physical sign of safety in a world that wants us small
Designed by Adam Rye (adamrye.com)
Page 2: Shedding the mask
"SHEDDING THE MASK.
I spent years hiding my sparkle behind cargo shorts, quiet and humbling myself on the worship team.
But keeping small NEVER kept me safe, and it did NOT protect anyone else.
I realized my privilege could be used as a SHIELD.
Now I wear crop tops with phrases like BLACK LIVES MATTER MORE THAN WHITE FEELINGS and paint my nails as a visible sign of safety.
Whether I am at Astra and Friends apothecary, playing kickball, or rollerblading, I want to show I am CONFIDENT in my body so others can feel safe with me."
Page 3: Pass the mic
"PASS THE MIC.
Allyship is a DAILY practice of listening first. I started by joining TransNetwork meetings, learning how to sit with lived truths, how to make mistakes, and how to accept correction.
True solidarity means putting our EGOS aside and centering BIPOC, trans, and neurodivergent voices.
We do not have to understand every detail of a person's life to DEFEND THEIR RIGHT TO EXIST."
Page 4: Creative resistance
"CREATIVE RESISTANCE.
When human rights are under attack, we show up with cardboard, markers, and art.
I love formatting protest signs with thick, black markers and fun, creative drawings like Kirby shouting 'TRANSPHOBIA SUCKS.'
Marching with Equality Florida in Tallahassee and leading chants at the St. Pete Pride TRANS MARCH is how we hold the line."
Page 5: Setting the stage
"SETTING THE STAGE IS A PHYSICAL JOB.
At GIRLS ROCK CAMP, I join the Dude Crew to do the heavy lifting, setting up gear, and cleaning so the campers have a safe space of their own.
On my HOTMESS SPORTS kickball team, we turn play into queer theater. We shake trans pride pom poms and celebrate every play.
I SWEAR TO CHER! I have never had so much fun being EXACTLY who I am."
Page 6: Caring for the garden
"CARING FOR THE GARDEN.
To change the culture, we have to show up for the quiet, steady work.
I volunteer with PFLAG, clean up local waters with Stewards of our Urban Lakes, and cheer on friends at weightlifting meets and band gigs.
Caring for our community means rolling up our sleeves and protecting the spaces where people are free to be themselves."
Page 7: What free feels like
"THIS IS WHAT FREE FEELS LIKE.
You do not owe a single tear to the altars that tried to carve you down.
HEALING is a full body YES, a loud laugh on a quiet porch, a drive through green hills. We are building a garden where no one has to shrink or edit themselves.
LOOK IN THE MIRROR: You are already bright, you are glowing, and you are finally FREE."
Page 8: The ally playbook"
"THE ALLY PLAYBOOK.
Active allyship is a persistent pattern of action:
Educate yourself, do not expect marginalized people to do the work for you.
Use your privilege to show visible support in public spaces.
Challenge anti-trans remarks and microaggressions against BIPOC.
Keep showing up, keep learning, and stay spicy.
Find your community:
Designed by Adam Rye (adamrye.com)"
Behind the zine
I made Show Up, Shine Anyway for everyone who wants to stand with the queer and trans community but isn't sure where to start. Solidarity isn't about being perfect; it's about putting your body between harm and the vulnerable, listening without defensiveness, and staying loud when it matters.
Copies are available in person at local demonstrations, community meetings, and PFLAG events throughout Tampa Bay.
