Understanding and Honoring Transgender Visibility Month

The history of it, its importance today, and how to support Trans lives this month and every month.

November is the annual month for Transgender Awareness, with Transgender Awareness Week taking place leading up to November 20th, the International Day of Transgender Remembrance. As December quickly approaches, we should all take a moment to celebrate as well as acknowledge the struggle of Transgender people around the world, and continue to care for issues that affect Transgender people beyond the month of November.

Image via the City of West Hollywood

Transgender Day of Remembrance was founded by Gwendolyn Ann Smith in 1999 in honor of Rita Hester, a Black Transgender woman who was killed as a result of a transphobic attack in 1998. TDOR is meant to honor those who have been affected by and lost their lives due to transphobia, and is meant to draw attention to the disproportionate amount of violence against Transgender people, especially Black Transgender women and Trans women of color.

As part of TDOR, a recent report shows that in 2020 at least 350 Transgender people have been killed globally, a six percent increase from 2019. These heartbreaking statistics remind us that now more than ever we all need to support the Trans community around the world, remember those whose lives have been lost and actively work against transphobia.

Image via IG @mxdarren_

Today, Trans people face such discrimination and violence, and few governments around the world actively support and protect Trans communities and constituents. Bullying and a lack of acceptance have serious mental health impacts on those in the Trans communities, and these issues reflect a much deeper system that discourages people from embracing their true selves, which needs to change. Transgender people are at higher risk of homelessness and have less access to healthcare than their cis-counterparts, all due to the inherent transphobia in the systems around us.

In order to make a change, we need to promote the voices and experiences of Transgender people  so we can dismantle and unlearn these toxic behaviors and develop a truly equal and safe society for everyone.

Image via GLAAD

Promoting understanding through advocacy and awareness is an important part of this, listen to those in the Transgender community and support their platforms.

An important part of social media as of late has been sharing threads of those who are in need of financial support, often for Transgender people who are in unsafe situations and need support. If you’re able to donate, please do. Not just once, but as much as you can give to help others can be crucial. Donating to funds for members of the Trans community, funds that help keep Transgender people safe, fed, employed, etc. is also appreciated. Here is a list of organizations to donate to for the wellbeing of Trans community members.

Homeless Black Trans Woman Fund 

The Marsha P. Johnson Institute

The Okra Project

Lavender Rights Project

The Black Trans Travel Fund

LGBTQ Freedom Fund

Trans Women of Color Collective

Transgender Law Center

Emergency Release Fund

The Audre Lorde Project

For The Gworls

Black Trans Femmes in the Arts

G.L.I.T.S.

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