Stand Up for Transgender Awareness Week

IntraSpectrum Counseling is proud to commemorate Transgender Awareness Week from November 13-19, a time created to increase awareness about transgender and gender non-conforming people, and to advocate for their rights.

__________________________

Transgender Awareness Week (TAW) begins today! Commemorated annually from November 13 to November 19, TAW is a 7-day observance when transgender people, allies and advocacy organizations take action to bring visibility to transgender communities and the issues that affect those who identify as trans or gender non-conforming.

TAKE ACTION DURING TRANSGENDER AWARENESS WEEK
Transgender Awareness Week is a time for everyone to honor transgender lives, experiences and futures; a time for:

transgender folks to connect with other members of the trans and non-binary communities
all LGBTQ+ communities to celebrate, uplift and honor our trans communities and those within them
allies to publicly demonstrate their support, in TAW-themed celebrations and with others in their own heteronormative communities

The goals of Transgender Awareness Week are to bring visibility to transgender people and the issues the community faces, specifically by:

building awareness about transgender and gender non-conforming people and their experiences with those in heteronormative communities
educating wider communities about transgender and gender non-conforming people, and the experiences and issues associated with transition and having non-heteronormative identities
advancing advocacy around the issues of prejudice, discrimination and violence against those in transgender communities
challenging, demonstrating and organizing against anti-trans legislation, policies and rhetoric

Events organized during Transgender Awareness Week have often included screenings of trans-themed movies, readings / discussions of trans-themed books, grassroots events to organize around political candidates, issues and specific pieces of legislation, panel discussions with transgender activists / celebrities, trans-themed art shows, trans-themed / drag performances, etc. Supporting these events, organizations and individuals is an easy yet powerful way to demonstrate solidarity with trans communities & impact the good works being done by advocacy organizations.

ISSUES FACING TRANSGENDER COMMUNITIES
Awareness: According to the UCLA Williams Institute, approximately 1.4 million people in the U.S. identify as transgender (although this estimate is likely low), and a Gallup poll reports that 31% of Americans say they have friends, relatives or coworkers who’ve told them personally that they are transgender. It is critical that the media create more stories about transgender people that are fair, accurate, and current. Increasing awareness of and familiarity of transgender people and issues helps to create environments of support and combats anti-trans sentiments within the general public – because when people with a heteronormative world view know someone who is LGBTQ+, they are far more likely to support equality under the law.

Systematic Inequalities: Even though transgender people are increasingly visible in popular culture and daily life, they still face severe discrimination, stigma and systemic inequality. Most significantly, trans folks experience violence at much higher rates than the general population – including threats, intimidation, harassment, sexual and physical assault, and even murder. They are being targeted simply for being themselves, and sometimes arrested simply for defending themselves against their attackers. Transgender Awareness Week was established in response to these killings and imprisonments, to highlight the challenges faced by trans people. Examples of additional issues faced by those in trans communities include: (1) a legal system that doesn’t protect them from discrimination based on gender identity; (2) elevated poverty rates, especially for trans people of color; (3) systematic and unlawful discrimination in areas including employment and housing; (4) a lack of health insurance due to providers refusing services based on gender identity and a healthcare system that fails to even understand their needs, let alone meet them; and (6) a widespread lack of access to accurate identity documents.

Anti-Trans Legislation & Policies: In 2024, anti-trans bills continue to be introduced in statehouses across the country at an alarming rate, in unconstitutional attempts to block trans citizens from receiving basic healthcare, education, legal recognition, and the right to publicly exist. The results of the 2024 presidential election promise a ramp-up of these state initiatives, attempts to create similar legislation at the federal level, and a political environment mired by even more hateful anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric and misinformation.

HONORING TRANS COMMUNITIES EVERYDAY
So this year during TAW, it’s even more important for all of us to publicly demonstrate our support for trans communities, as LGBTQ+ people and allies. And of course, everyday is the right day to show support and honor trans lives. Examples of things we all can consider making part of our daily lives include:

Educating ourselves about trans communities, and understanding the issues that they face
Considering the assumptions we may bring to the table regarding sex, sexuality and gender identity and taking steps to avoid perpetuating them
Considering the non-inclusive language / hetero-normative behaviors we may be using and taking steps to stop doing that
Demonstrating our solidarity for trans-friendly policies with, for example the products we buy; businesses we work with; organizations we support; candidates we vote for. This requires some research and fact-checking but it’s important to know where our support goes
Honoring, respecting and holding space for the transgender people in our lives to live with dignity
Holding others accountable for their instances of derogatory language or behaviors every time the need arises

As sources of additional information, we offer links from GLSEN (Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network), PFLAG (Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays), GLAAD (Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation), A4TE (Advocates for Trans Equality) and more.

Informational Resources

For Students

For Allies

Transgender Awareness Week leads up to Transgender Day of Remembrance on November 20th, an annual observance to honor the lives and memories of transgender individuals whose lives were lost due to acts of anti-transgender violence. Check back on 11/20 to view a separate article commemorating TDOR.

__________________________

Transgender Awareness Week is observed annually November 13-19. As Chicago’s leading psychotherapy practice dedicated to the LGBTQ+ community, we are proud to acknowledge and celebrate these special dates on the LGBTQ+ calendar. Every day, we strive to provide the highest quality mental health care for clients of all ages and across the spectrum of identities. For anyone needing affirming and validating support or healing with any issue, please click here or email us at help@intraspectrum-chicago.com.