Trans Awareness Week
What is Trans Awareness Week?
Trans Awareness Week is a one-week celebration, which precedes Trans Day of Remembrance (TDOR), to raise awareness to the wider community about trans and gender non-conforming people. This includes highlighting the discrimination that still exists including violence and abuse, the issues faced in society and individual experiences with the aim of spreading understanding, increasing visibility and encouraging acceptance in society.
Trans awareness week is held annually between the 13th and 19th of November.
How is Trans Awareness Week Celebrated?
Social media is the common place for people to share their stories and experiences to large audiences which aim to help people about to go through the same experience themselves, to let people know they are not alone and signpost support from others and organisations. This experience sharing also provides education, creates understanding, and aims to reduce bias.
Trans Awareness Week and Employment
Inclusive workplaces encourage people to be themselves at work without fear or consequence. Employers can use Trans Awareness Week to create a safe space for trans employees by:
- Sharing information and resources relevant to the week
- Ensuring policies and procedure are Inclusive, considering dress codes and use of bathrooms and gender segregated spaces
- Providing LGBTQ+ e-Learning, or training to all employees to increase understanding and reduce bias
- Engaging senior leaders to promote zero tolerance of discrimination, including Homophobia, Biphobia, Interphobia & Transphobia
- Creating a safe space, such as an ERG or employee network
- Asking the ERG or employee network to get involved, draft communications or run an event
