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51ºÚÁÏ Celebrates... Transgender Awareness
Posted 13/11/24
13th-19th November : Transgender Awareness Week aims to help increase understanding about transgender and gender non-conforming people, and the issues that members of the community face.​
Then, on 20th November, Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR) aims to shine a light on the victims of transphobic violence, focussing on honouring the memory of transgender people whose lives were lost due to acts of anti-transgender violence (or transphobia).Ìý
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What is Transgender Awareness Week?
Taking place from 13th to the 19th November, Transgender Awareness Week aims to campaign for trans rights by educating wider society about who transgender people are, sharing stories and experiences, and advancing support around issues of prejudice, discrimination and violence that affect the transgender community. It is a period to celebrate, uplift and honour the trans community, whilst also demonstrating solidarity to improve equality and justice.
Transgender Awareness Week is also a great way to help young transgender people realise that there are more trans people out there. Being able to find support online and seeing that there are dedicated spaces for trans people can provide much-needed relief for young people.
What does ‘Transgender’ mean? The term ‘t°ù²¹²Ô²õ²µ±ð²Ô»å±ð°ù’ (or ‘trans’) is an umbrella term used to describe a person whose gender identity is not the same as the sex they were assigned at birth. Trans may also refer to non-binary people who do not fall into the binary categories of man / woman, or male / female.
How to participate in Transgender Awareness Week
- Support Transgender Organisations : Donate or volunteer your time.
- Amplify Trans Voices : Repost insightful content and stories on social media or share an article about trans experiences with your friends or work colleagues.
- Educate Yourself : Take the time to learn about trans history and don’t be afraid to (politely) ask questions!
- Attend Events : Check out local events that celebrate the impact of transgender and non-gender conforming individuals have had on things like the arts.
- Speak up and identify yourself as an ally : To end discrimination, we need to challenge discrimination. If you see someone being discriminated against for being transgender, speak up! This should be an unconscious practice that you carry beyond just Transgender Awareness Week.Ìý
Celebrating Transgender Awareness Week in the workplace
Celebrating Transgender Awareness Week is essential for businesses looking to foster a more inclusive workplace culture and make employees feel welcome, understood and seen. Equally, it is beneficial in signalling to consumers and clients that your business values diversity, setting the standard for other organisations, and helps businesses stay ahead of evolving legislation and societal norms regarding transgender rights, reducing the risk of bias and ignorance.
What is Transgender Day of Remembrance?
Transgender Day of Remembrance, or TDOR, is an annually observed day of memorial that seeks to honor members of the trans community who have lost their lives due to acts of anti-transgender violence. TDOR was first observed back in 1999, following the death of Rita Hester, a Trans woman who was murdered in Massachusetts, USA.
The Trans Murder Monitoring report revealed that 320 Trans people were killed in 2023. Since this project first launched in 2008, more than 4,600 deaths have been recorded. On November 20, vigils will take place around the world to honour every one of these tragic deaths.
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