Increasing the visibility of transgender people, highlighting issues members of the community face and honouring the memory of trans people lost to transphobic violence.
**Please note: external links within this article contains some descriptions and images of anti-LGBTQA+ violence and transphobia which may be distressing to some readers. Please take care of yourself.**
13 November to 19 November is Transgender Awareness Week, followed by Transgender Day of Remembrance on 20 November. At Queen Mary we want to create a truly inclusive and safe environment for everyone in our community, celebrating diversity and ensuring everyone can be themselves. Our Trans Inclusion Statement of Commitment 2022 lays out the University’s approach and position with specific regard to trans inclusion.
This year we take the opportunity to learn more about the trans community and reflect on how we all can take an active part in supporting our trans staff and students.
Transgender Awareness Week is a week when transgender people and their allies take action to bring attention to the community by educating about who transgender people are, sharing stories and experiences, and advancing advocacy around the issues of prejudice, discrimination, and violence that affect transgender people. Following the end of Transgender Awareness Week, on Sunday 20 November, is Transgender Day of Remembrance.
Transgender Awareness Week brings attention to trans and gender non-conforming people around the world, as well as raising awareness of the issues this diverse community continues to face, including combating transphobia, discrimination, bullying and harassment.
Transgender Day of Remembrance is marked on 20 November each year, having been established in 1999 by transgender advocate Gwendolyn Ann Smith as a vigil to honour the memory of Rita Hester, a Black transgender woman who was killed in 1998. In a recent interview Gwendolyn discussed the creation of Transgender Day of Remembrance and its importance. The event, now 23 years old, is honoured in hundreds of locations worldwide.
Transgender Day of Remembrance is a sombre day to draw attention to the fact that trans and gender non-conforming people continue to experience violence and oppression around the world. It's important to remember that this is not just the result of transphobia but also of transmisogyny and racism.
In August 2022 VICE World News reported on the rise in anti-LGBTQ hate crime in UK, with stark figures showing that the number of transphobic hate crime reports had tripled over the last five years. LGBTQ charities told VICE World News that these figures are “only the tip of the iceberg”, because “so many LGBTQ people would never willingly speak to the police about what happens to them.”
It remains vitally important that we all continue to work together to support the trans community.
Read and share our Being a Trans Ally leaflet: find out what we mean by ‘trans’ and what you can do to be a trans ally. You can also read our LGBTQA+ Glossary of Terms Booklet.
Listening to trans, non-binary and gender non-conforming voices telling their own stories is one of the most important things you can do to find out more about the community.
As part of celebrating LGBTQA+ History Month in February 2022, Queen Mary published a list of recommended podcasts and books. Many of these explore the lived experiences of trans people.
For the last few years GLAAD has encouraged people to watch the documentary DISCLOSURE (available on Netflix) during Transgender Awareness Week. The film from director Sam Feder and executive producer Laverne Cox explores the history of trans representation in TV and film, revealing how Hollywood simultaneously reflects and manufactures people's deepest anxieties about gender.
Through personal interviews with 30 transgender thought leaders on screen and a production model that prioritized hiring trans people into crewed positions DISCLOSURE invites viewers to see the dynamic interplay between trans representation on screen, the resulting cultural attitudes off-screen, and real-world consequences of these depictions on trans people's lives as told revolutionarily from trans people's own experiences and perspectives.
Queen Mary Students' Union in collaboration with the Barts and the London LGBT+ Society are arranging a vigil in the Blomeley Rooms on Sunday 20 November between 12pm – 2pm. Please contact Ruth Truscott or lgbt@bartslondon.com for further information.
At Queen Mary, we are proud to maintain a collegiate, inclusive community where transphobic violence is extremely rare. Where any instances of bullying, harassment and discrimination do occur, our community can take action to tackle these and support our trans and gender non-confirming staff and students.
QMOut: QMOut is the LGBTQA+ Staff Network for staff at Queen Mary who identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Non-binary, Queer, Asexual (Ace) or those who identify with other marginalised sexual orientations and /or gender identities.
LGBT+ Society: QM LGBT Society provides a space for all members and allies of the LGBTQ community at Queen Mary, connecting LGBTQA+ students through regular socials.
LGBT+ Society (Whitechapel): A society set up to create a welcoming and supportive environment for all LGBT+ (and unsure!) medics, dentists, and other students studying at Barts and The London.