November 20th is Trans Day of Remembrance, a tradition that began in 1999 to honor the lives of trans people who were murdered in acts of hate violence. Trans Day of Remembrance and the week leading up to it, Trans Awareness Week, are meant to celebrate and bring visibility to gender identities that are far underrepresented and constantly maligned, and to shed light on the violent atrocities that happen to trans people today.
A few OutWrite staff members shared their thoughts on Trans Awareness Week:
“I’ve noticed people in the community love ignoring the T in ‘LGBTQ’ and in current issues. This week, we should all take the time to check ourselves and our friends, to learn something about the trans community and show our support.” Oriana, Social Media/Marketing.
“During Transgender Awareness Week, it is crucial to acknowledge and remember those who our community lost for simply existing, to continue to push for visibility to end the senseless discrimination against transgender people, and to celebrate the recognition we have received so far. As a trans person who does not fit into the societal binary categories, I want to spread awareness and make it more acceptable to reject the gender binary. Gender is confusing and creative and beautiful, and I would love more people to realize that!” Jasper, Staff Writer.
“LGBTQ+ history is so important in shaping modern queer rights, especially when it comes to trans folks. Whether it’s the Stonewall Riots or the AIDS epidemic or the passing of same-sex marriage legislation around the world, trans people have been on the front lines of our history and have been integral about making the world safer for queer folks. We owe a deep gratitude to our trans parents who have fought for us and those that have sacrificed themselves to the cause. We are always indebted to you, and we will do our best to continuously fight for your children’s rights to live fiercely and fearlessly.” Shannon Kasinger, Staff Writer.
“I hope people who aren’t trans learn more about how to help trans people during Trans Awareness Week, and that trans people feel supported whether we choose to be visible or not.” Kai Huang, Photographer.
For more on Trans Week of Awareness, check out these links:
https://tdor.info/about-2/
https://www.glaad.org/tdor
https://www.nbcnews.com/
For resources in the Los Angeles area, check out these organizations:
The Los Angeles LGBT Center‘s groundbreaking education, empowerment and social program, Trans Lounge, specifically serves the Los Angeles transgender community. Trans Lounge offers transgender people workshops, labs, groups and events – all of which are free to attend. The major difference between Trans Lounge and other transgender education and empowerment programs is that members have a say on which programs they’d like the organization to schedule, creating relevancy and higher member counts at their various events. Best of all, members can attend programs with other transgender individuals who share their interests.
Gender Justice LA is a grassroots organization that is building the power of the Los Angeles transgender and gender nonconforming community. The organization uses community organizing and leadership development to pursue and make concrete changes in the lives of transgender people, but especially low-income trans people of color.
Gender Wellness of Los Angeles (GWLA) is a counseling practice that is devoting to working with both clients and their families who are coping with issues related to gender identity. The practice has 20+ years of experience in working with transgender people, gender-nonconforming individuals, gender variant adolescents and those who are exploring their sexual orientation. GWLA is led by Casey Weitzman and supported by a team of consultants that include massage therapists, doctors, lawyers, voice coaches, life coaches, personal shoppers, and more. The practice also offers one-on-one counseling, group counseling, family counseling, psychiatric evaluations and medication management. GWLA can also provide the required letters for hormone replacement therapy and sex confirming surgery.
Transgender people will find a supportive community at PFLAG Los Angeles. The organization offers a variety of support meetings and events to members that include people who are transgender, gender nonconforming, gender questioning, gender creative, gender queer, gender fluid, and transsexual. Parents, family members, friends, and allies of transgender and gender noncomforming persons are also welcome. Recently, PFLAG Los Angeles started a satellite meeting called PFLAG Gender Focus to help individuals who are dealing with issues of gender identity and feel they are still minorities. The satellite meeting helps end that isolated feeling with leaders experienced in transgender issues and knowledgeable about resources for those with a variety of gender experiences.