From November 16 to 20, Citrix is observing Transgender Awareness Week to help increase the visibility of transgender and gender non-conforming people and address the ways we can create unity in our communities.
While most Transgender Awareness Week activities are in the United States, dozens of countries have seen these memorials grow in the last few years. Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDoR) is observed annually on November 20 to memorialize those lives lost to anti-transgender violence and to shine a light on the persistence of anti-transgender violence.
“Being transgender isn’t a medical transition. It’s a process of learning to love yourself for who you are.” — Jazz Jennings
In 2020, voters in the United States elected the first transgender officials to office: Sarah McBride, as a state senator in Delaware, and Rosemary Ketchum, to the city council in Wheeling, West Virginia.
“The first thing we need allies to do is listen. Come to us with a willingness to grow and evolve. You’re going to make mistakes, and that’s fine, but be willing to listen and grow from those mistakes. I think that’s the most important trait an ally can have.” — Sarah McBride
TDoR is a time when we can honor the lives of the victims of transphobia and empower allies to be aware of the injustices that disproportionally affect the transgender community.
Here are ways to honor Transgender Day of Remembrance:
- Attend and/or volunteer at a local vigil or memorial in your community. TDoR events are often at houses of worship, parks, or public buildings. To find an event, connect with your local LGBTQ+ organization and search online to see what may be available in your area.
- Attend forums with local activists and politicians.
- Support and donate to local LGBTQ+ businesses.
- Donate time, money, or in-kind contributions to local transgender-serving organizations.
- Use social media to show your solidarity with this community, using the hashtag #TDOR.
- Be a vocal ally in educating and bringing transgender awareness to others.
Learn more about diversity and inclusion at Citrix.
