Trans Awareness Month: Honoring Lives Lost and Raising Awareness
News
Throughout the month of November, the transgender community and its allies come together to commemorate Transgender Day of Remembrance, a day dedicated to remembering individuals who lost their lives due to anti-transgender hatred. This important day of remembrance, marked annually on November 20th, has become a global rallying point for a community that has long endured discrimination and violence. Whether you identify within the LGBTQ+ community or you’re an ally, it’s more important than ever to understand the significance of this commemorative period, known as Trans Awareness Month.
Image Credit: Canva
In 1998, the tragic murder of Rita Hester, a 35-year-old transgender woman in Allston, Massachusetts, served as a catalyst for transgender activist Gwen Smith to create the Remembering Our Dead web project. This initiative aimed to honor the lives of murdered transgender and gender-nonconforming people.
Following support for this movement, in 1999, Smith organized the first Transgender Day of Remembrance - an annual event that memorializes those who lost their lives due to anti-transgender hatred in the preceding year. What began as a local gathering soon evolved into a global movement, drawing attention to the violence and prejudice faced by the transgender community.
November emerges as a crucial month for the transgender community and its allies. It serves as an opportunity to promote education about transgender issues and the challenges faced by transgender and gender non-conforming individuals. Throughout the month, Massachusetts hosts various events and educational initiatives that shed light on transgender communities and foster understanding – and there are also various online events/panels to attend.
Culminating in the Transgender Day of Remembrance on November 20th, this month-long program serves as a worldwide coming together of trans and allied communities to honor the memory of victims lost due to anti-trans hatred. By participating in advocacy and educational events, people can show their support, celebrate the strength of the trans community, and raise awareness about vital transgender issues.
Transgender Awareness Week (13-19 November) seeks to promote understanding and education about transgender individuals and their unique journeys.
Radam Ridwan, Social Media and Community Engagement Manager at myGwork, stated their support for the transgender community during this important occasion.
“We are currently living through a climate where anti-trans narratives are widespread, toxic stereotypes are constantly perpetuated, and negative rhetorics are spread throughout social media,” they said. “Occasions like Trans Awareness Month serve as a vital reminder of the essential work that still needs to be done to create a more inclusive and accepting society.”
myGwork recently curated a Trans Inclusion Guide for Employers to bring together education and action, in order to help support employees and leaders in creating a welcoming environment for trans and gender non-conforming people. You can access the complete guide here.
On November 20th, myGwork is hosting a panel for Trans Day of Remembrance. Our panel will provide a platform for trans professionals to share their personal and professional stories, shedding light on the impact of transphobia in and out of the workplace, and exploring how allies can actively contribute to combating this issue.
Keep up to date with the latest myGnews
