Transgender Awareness Week, typically observed the second week of November, is a one-week celebration leading up to Transgender Day of Remembrance, which memorializes victims of transphobic violence. TDOR occurs annually on November 20, when transgender advocates raise awareness of the transgender community through education and advocacy activities. The first week of November typically begins with third parties hosting events at venues surrounding a main central venue, followed the second week by more venues at the main area showcasing more and more in-depth events. The purpose of Transgender Awareness Week is to educate about transgender and gender non-conforming people and the issues associated with their transition or identity.
History
There have been many pivotal historical moments that relate to Transgender advocacy.
1952: Christine Jorgensen is featured in American national media – provided a large number of people with access to information about transgender issues for the first time as she was the first American publicly known to have had a sex change
1979: the Victorian Transsexual Coalition and the Victorian Transsexual Association is formed, Australia's first transgender rights and advocacy organisations were established.
1986: Lou Sullivan founds FTM International – the first advocacy group for transgender men; the purpose was to challenge the popular idea that all trans men were lesbians before they transitioned into male
1999: The first observance of International Transgender Day of Remembrance to commemorate victims of anti-transgender hate crimes, observed on November 20
2002: Transgender Law Center founded – aimed to alter laws and opinions regarding transgender people so they could live a life without discrimination based on gender identity
2002: Sylvia Rivera Law Project founded – provides legal and educational services and works towards altering policies
2003: National Center for Transgender Equality founded – founded to progress the equality of transgender people through advocacy, collaboration, and empowerment
2009: The first observance of International Transgender Day of Visibility - This day was created by Michigan transgender activist Rachel Crandall to serve as a positive counterpart to Transgender Day of Remembrance, it is celebrated living trans people and raises awareness to transgender issues, observed on November 20
2010: the Australian Defence Force policy was amended to allow transgender Australians to openly serve.
These are just a few of the many important moments that have led to increased transgender advocacy and awareness.
Events
Participants in Transgender Awareness Week are urged to organize events that serve as educational opportunities to the community. One possible event is the screening of a trans-themed movie, such as the film Paris is Burning, which highlights gay and transgender ball culture in New York City. Another educational event is the personal testimonies of local transgender people and the issues they face because of their gender identity. "I AM: Trans People Speak" is a collection of videos regarding transgender people's personal testimonies that could be shown in place of a live testimony. Other potential events might revolve around the discussion of a trans-themed book or the observation of a trans-themed art show or performance. In San Francisco, Transgender Awareness Week was expanded to cover the entire month of November. In November 2019, each member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors gave a commendation to a member of the trans community.
Additional information with controversies
A study conducted by the Williams Institute in 2016 concluded that 0.6% of the U.S. population identify themselves as transgender. In 2008, only 8% of Americans reported knowing or working with someone who is transgender; by 2015, this had doubled to 16%, according to a Harris poll, but it is still far less than the number of Americans who know someone who is gay or lesbian. Trans people face many issues within their community that causes them to feel like they are in danger and are unsafe. A survey found that 50% of trans people claim to have been raped or assaulted by a romantic partner. Trans people have been murdered simply for being trans, in addition to their loved ones and/or friends because of being involved with them. Some trans women were arrested for fighting back against their attacker. Trans women and supporters formerly united with one another and took stands against discrimination towards trans people by holding riots. Transgender Awareness Week established in response to these killings and imprisonments in order to highlight the challenges faced by trans people.
