Between November 13th to November 19th everyone should be participating in Transgender Awareness Week. This week helps spread and raise visibility, knowledge, and awareness about transgender people and addresses the difficulties people of the community have to face on a daily.
Transgender Awareness Week is on the week leading up to Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDoR). Around the world people, organizations, and companies participate in Transgender Awareness Week. This year and the years to follow All Ages of Geek will participate in Transgender Awareness Week to raise visibility!
Here is the history of Transgender Awareness Week & Transgender Day of Remembrance according to Glaad!:
“What is Transgender Awareness Week?: Transgender Awareness Week is a week when transgender people and their allies take action to bring attention to the community by educating the public about who transgender people are, sharing stories and experiences, and advancing advocacy around the issues of prejudice, discrimination, and violence that affect the transgender community.
What is Transgender Day of Remembrance?: Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR) was founded by transgender advocate Gwendolyn Ann Smith as a vigil to honor her memory of Rita Hester, a transgender woman who was killed in 1998. The vigil commemorated all the transgender people lost to violence that year and began an important memorial that has become the annual Transgender Day of Remembrance.
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 died that year.” –glaad.com
It is important to remember even after Transgender Awareness Week to continuously show your support. Spreading awareness can change more than you may think.
The Trevor Project Celebrates Transgender Awareness Month and while browsing their website this very important piece of information showed up:
“During difficult times, we recognize our power and the power of our supporters to be an agents of change, transforming fear and bigotry into understanding and acceptance. Our trailblazing Youth Advisory Council has included Eli Erlick who currently is the Director of Trans Student Educational Resources (TSER), the only national organization entirely led by trans youth. This Transgender Awareness Week they launched a Comprehensive Model Policy on Transgender Students for Four-Year Colleges and Universities. This policy addresses the best practices for four-year colleges and universities regarding enrollment, policy implementation, admissions, programs, facilities, safety, and more.
It is a critical time to take action at the local level, and this model policy helps to provide effective guidelines to creating a safer, healthier environment for transgender college and university students everywhere. Use TSER’s model policy to educate and change policies within your own schools and communities. Download and share these free posters and graphics to help raise understanding and compassion during Transgender Awareness Month. ...If you or someone you know needs help, know that we are here for you 24/7, every day of the year, at 1-866-488-7386, with more digital services available as well. We are here to champion and support all LGBTQ youth, no matter what your identity. Know that you are valid, and you matter.“-The Trevor Project
Here are a few Transgender artists YOU can support:
Josslyn Turner
Twitter: @joss_artist
Website
Noel Nguyen
Skylar K. Swift
Twitter: @skylarkswift
Website
We at All Ages of Geek will remember all the lives lost and will continue to spread awareness even after Transgender Awareness Week. We encourage you to educate yourself daily on all of this and ALWAYS show your support. Spread awareness to those in your life. And ALWAYS be kind no matter what.
ALWAYS Remember we SUPPORT you no matter what your gender identity is. All Ages of Geek is a safe space and we are here to support you. No matter what.
