Transgender Awareness Week: From Pioneers to Current-Day Activists
[Content warning] - alongside celebration of trans individuals, this article aims to raise awareness and share information about the history of trans advocacy. As such, this piece contains mentions of police brutality, homophobia and transphobia.
Transgender Awareness Week is a celebration of trans lives and experiences that takes place every year, during the second week of November. Transgender Awareness Week takes place before the Transgender Day of Remembrance on November 20th, a day commemorating the lives lost to transphobia, violence and targeted hate.
This week, we want to highlight the incredible progress made over the last century in the fight for trans rights through an introduction to current advocates striving for trans visibility and a brief look at history. If you’re looking to learn more as an ally or to gain support as a trans person, we’ll be providing links to resources throughout, as well as impactful organizations to support.
Championing Trans Visibility Today
In 2020 we saw a world-wide shift and collective push for better, basic human rights. In this great piece by The Guardian, we can easily see that many trans people across the world have been essential leaders in movements for “anti-fascism, racial justice, prison abolition, immigrant rights, disability justice, housing advocacy, privacy, labour, indigenous organizing, sex work decriminalization, COVID mutual aid and much more.” These trans activists have led the charge, all the while facing an unconscionable and unprecedented assault on their basic human rights. In response to the growing activism of 2020, we are lucky to have some of the strongest protectors in the trans community help bring change to our society.
Despite great strides, barriers still exist for transgender and gender non-conforming individuals today. Navigating exclusionary healthcare systems, restrictive sports regulations and stigma surrounding gender expression are simply a few of these challenges. However, through media representation, education, and the increased spread of support resources, the push for transgender voices to be heard goes on. With over 2 million trans people across the United States, it is important that we as allies listen and use our voices for change.
As the year winds down, we know that the hard work has just started. Stay in touch and keep following and supporting the growing movements. Here are some trans activists that we’ve been following, that are doing ground-breaking work for trans rights and representation through education and the reduction of stigma.
Ianne Fields Stewart
Ianne is a transfeminine, queer and nonbinary activist, actress and founder of The Okra Project.
Her community work and prolific acting have been instrumental in supporting black, trans and queer lives as well as in creating media representation.
Website: https://www.iannefieldsstewart.com/
Instagram: @thefreeactorvist
LaSaia Wade
Co-founder of the Trans Justice Funding Project which supports grassroots trans justice groups, and founder of Brave Space Alliance, which provides programming and resources for LGBTQ+ individuals in Chicago, LaSaia’s work extends across a range of initiatives.
For her work in community organization and beyond, she is the first Trans-Indigenous woman to have been honoured in Women’s History Month in Illinois.
Twitter: @LaSaiaWade
Instagram: @lasaia_wade
Mars Elliot Wright
“Trans joy is resistance”
Through his inspirational merch designs and Instagram reels centered around spreading trans joy, Mars supports LGBTQ+ initiatives by creating a beautiful, inclusive space extending to social media and beyond.
Website: https://marswright.com/
Instagram: @mars.wright
Chella Man
Chella is a transmasculine, genderqueer artist, writer, model, actor and activist.
Through his YouTube channel and social media, he sparks conversations on disability awareness, LGBTQ+ causes, gender identity and gender dysphoria.
He also played Jericho in DC’s ‘Titans’ in 2019 - breaking barriers for representation as a deaf, Asian, Jewish and trans actor.
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCa1vUXV2WMRobPo-ZfEeRhg
Instagram: @chellaman and @chellamanart
Twitter: @chellamanart
Trans Pioneers: Foundational Strides in the Making of History
Although transgender representation has expanded within the media in recent years through depictions such as Orange Is The New Black, The Queen’s Gambit and the documentary Disclosure, being trans or genderqueer is not new at all. Androgyny, the recognition of non-binary genders, gender dysphoria and gender nonconformity, have all been prevalent around the world - particularly in Indigenous or pre-colonial cultures. Some examples include the Indigenous Two-Spirit identity and Mahu, a gender role in traditional Hawaiian society that refers to people who exhibit both feminine and masculine traits.
Transgender voices have been invalidated and suppressed with acts of transphobia, bigotry, homophobia and violence. The historical Stonewall riots, caused by police raids and arrests in a bar that was frequented by members of the LGBTQ+ community are an example of this. Within these riots, prominent activists such as Marsha P. Johnson - an African-American trans woman and Sylvia Rivera - a Latin-American trans woman, played pivotal roles in spurring a movement of support for LGBTQ+ rights. Their legacy, along with countless other pioneers and activists who paved the way, is an eternal reminder for us to collectively continue the work.
Transgender people - especially black, indigenous and people of colour, have been at the forefront of change, not only this year but for as long as change has been needed. As allies, we need to prioritize learning and growth by actively engaging in conversations, seeking resources, and providing the support we can to trans members of our communities.
More Resources
What we’ve covered here does not even begin to summarize the progress and contributions of transgender folks. If you’re interested in learning more, here’s a list of resources for trans perspectives and organizations to support.
Trans Experiences:
Organizations Supporting Transgender Causes
An organization providing resources for LGBTQ+ youth, such as a discussion board, FAQ section, “Coming Out” guide and hotlines for support.
The Marsha P. Johnson Institute
Named in honour of Marsha P. Johnson and her essential role in the Stonewall uprising, the Marsha P. Johnson Institute advocates for social justices issues as well as the well-being and rights of black transgender people.
HRC creates content providing insight into some of the challenges trans people may face - especially during the time of COVID-19, as well as resources for coming out and being an ally.
Unique Woman’s Coalition fosters black trans leadership through programming and community resources. Examples of their programming include Melanin Magic - a drop-in support group and a Young Leaders Program.
The Okra Project focuses on bringing meals to black trans people experiencing food insecurity - at no cost to them at all.
Meals are also created by black trans chefs who are paid for by The Okra Project.
Check out our post on The Okra Project or visit their website to learn more!
GLAAD works towards LGBTQ+ acceptance and provides resources for transgender individuals. Their transgender media program is committed to the accurate portrayal of the stories and experiences of transgender people in the media.
Check out our consistently updated list of anti-racist LGBTQ+ organizations as well for more initiatives to support.