Each year between November 13 – 19, people and organizations around the country participate in Transgender Awareness Week to help increase understanding about transgender people and the issues members of the community face.
Trans Awareness Week takes place the week before Transgender Day of Remembrance on November 20. Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR), is an annual observance on November 20 that honors the memory of the transgender people whose lives were lost in acts of anti-transgender violence that year.
At a time when transgender people have become targets of extreme political discrimination and violence, it’s imperative that anyone who is interested in and invested in protecting a free society learn the facts about who trans people are, become educated about the realities trans people face, and understand that our collective equality is connected to the safety and freedom of people who are transgender.
Read more about Transgender Awareness Week (Semana de Concientización Transgénero en español) and Transgender Day of Remembrance below, and find out how you can participate.
What is Transgender Awareness Week?
Transgender Awareness Week is a week when transgender people and their allies take action to bring attention to the trans community by educating the public about who transgender people are, sharing stories and experiences, and advancing advocacy around issues of prejudice, discrimination, and violence that affect the transgender community.
For more about how GLAAD has observed Transgender Awareness Week this year and through the years, check out: https://glaad.org/tag/trans-awareness-week/
What is Transgender Day of Remembrance?
Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR) was founded in 1999 by transgender advocate Gwendolyn Ann Smith as a vigil to honor Rita Hester, a transgender woman who was killed in 1998. The vigil commemorated the one year anniversary of Hester’s death and all the transgender people lost to violence that year. That initial event began the world-wide observance that is the annual Transgender Day of Remembrance. People participate in TDOR by attending or organizing a vigil on November 20 to honor all those whose lives were lost to anti-transgender violence that year. Vigils are typically hosted by local transgender advocates or LGBTQ organizations, and held at community centers, parks, places of worship and other venues. The vigil often involves reading a list of the names of those who have been killed.
This year, GLAAD is participating alongside Advocates for Trans Equality (A4TE), the Transgender Law Center, the Human Rights Campaign, Equality Federation, and Keshet in a virtual ceremony and community gathering commemorating the lives of transgender people that were taken too soon. Find out more information about this event and register to join here.
What can I do to become a better ally?
Learn about trans people by educating yourself with credible resources about community, language, issues, stories, and actions.
The GLAAD Media Reference Guide: Focus on Transgender People
- GLAAD’s Media Reference Guide: Transgender Terms
- GLAAD’s Media Reference Guide: Transgender People and Issues
- GLAAD’s Tips for Allies of Transgender People
For more resources to learn about transgender people, check out: https://glaad.org/transgender/
To find other resources on particular topics related to the trans community, type into the search bar for results. For example, if you’re looking to find out more about transgender healthcare, type “transgender healthcare” into the search bar and relevant results will populate.
For authentic, accurate, and diverse portrayals of transgender people, check out the GLAAD Media Award nominations which include spotlights on TV, movies, video games, journalism, and music that feature outstanding examples of representation.
Search “outstanding trans stories” for more.
Show your support for Transgender Awareness Week.
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Your Support Matters
We have been working hard for over 40 years on accelerating LGBTQ acceptance and continue to address the gaps with advocacy. During these difficult times, with your support, we can continue the fight for many more years to come. Join us!
