What is Transgender Awareness Week?
Each year between November 13-19, we celebrate Transgender Awareness Week to commemorate, honor and bring awareness to transgender, non-binary, and gender non-conforming folks. Trans Awareness Week is a time for trans folks and allies to come together to learn about trans experiences, educate the public on transgender people and trans culture, bring awareness to anti-trans legislation and rhetoric, and raise advocacy for acts of prejudice, discrimination, and violence affecting the trans and gender non-conforming (GNC) community.
What is Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR)?
Trans Awareness Week precedes Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR) which is observed each year on November 20th. Trans Day of Remembrance is a day dedicated to remembering and honoring the transgender lives lost to anti-trans violence each year. Participating in TDOR for most communities involves holding a vigil for the individual trans lives lost. Vigils are often hosted by local transgender and LGBTQIA+ organizations and clubs and are usually held at parks, community centers, or places of worship.
How Did Transgender Awareness Week Begin?
Trans Awareness Week began as a vigil to honor the lost life of Rita Hester, a transgender woman who was murdered in 1998. Transgender advocate, Gwendolyn Ann Smith, initiated the vigil as a way to commemorate Rita's life. This first observance was also dedicated to all the transgender lives lost to senseless anti-trans violence that year. The first vigil in 1998 started by Smith has taken off as a cultural shift for trans folks everywhere and has been observed and honored yearly since then.
Why Transgender Awareness Week Matters and How You Can Get Involved!
With anti-trans legislation and rhetoric at an all-time high, it is incredibly important to observe Trans Awareness Week. Informing ourselves and taking time to learn about the varied experiences of trans, non-binary, and GNC people can help provide safer spaces for them as well as facilitate a cultural shift in people's individual attitudes about trans people. According to a 2021 poll by Gallup, a whopping 68% of Americans say they have never personally met someone who is transgender. This shows that people assume being transgender dictates a certain look or persona and being transgender is probably something people can "just tell" based on appearance alone. It's safe to say that not only has transness been heavily influenced by what our media has to say, but it is also heavily dictated by politics and religion, both huge factors that determine so much around the world and which have already caused much harm to the trans and LGBTQIA+ community.
To reiterate, 2022 has seen an all-time high in anti-trans legislation. This is why Transgender Awareness Week is important. We need personal stories and experiences from actual trans people to shift the cultural mindset on what it means to actually be trans. We need trans educators and advocates to bring awareness to trans rights. We need facets of trans joy and trans trailblazers to bring us hope and teach us what it means to live in a world where trans folks are not harmed, policed, or objectified. We need more spaces that are trans. We need more trans allies.
There are many ways to support Trans Awareness Week. Showing your advocacy and helping your community makes more of a difference than you would think! You can start off by reading Human Right Campaigns webpage for resources and ideas on how to get involved.
You can also get in contact with a local trans organization in your area. Organizations and clubs are always looking for helpful volunteers and donations also go a long way towards operating an organization, so definitely consider donating on Trans Awareness Week!
And finally, start a conversation and share the awareness around Trans Awareness Week and trans people in general! Talk to your friends, your family, talk to your senators and local representatives. Initiate yourself to connect with your community on a deeper level.
Wet for Her is proud to be a queer-owned and operated sexual wellness and pleasure boutique. Specially curated for the queer community, we are happy to celebrate Trans Awareness Week!
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We are also hosting a GIVEAWAY for Transgender Awareness Week!!
Are you interested in participating in our Trans Awareness Week Giveaway? Head on over to our Instagram at @wetforher and follow these rules to enter:
1. Follow us @wetforher on Instagram
2. Like our Trans Awareness Week giveaway post
3. Tag 3 or more friends who would be interested in entering this giveaway
BONUS ENTRY: Share the post on your story and tag us!
This giveaway contest is open to participants in the US ONLY. Giveaway ends on Sunday, November 20, 2022 at 12 am EST. Winner will be notified the following day through direct message.
