Transgender Awareness Week

Transgender Awareness Week is observed each year from November 13 through November 19. It’s a time to learn about transgender people and the issues they face, share stories, and support dignity and inclusion. The week leads into Transgender Day of Remembrance on November 20, when people honor transgender people who have died because of anti-transgender violence.

How Transgender Awareness Week started

The exact origins of Transgender Awareness Week are not well documented, so it’s best not to attribute its start to a particular person or organization. The observance is part of a broader effort to increase understanding of transgender lives and bring attention to discrimination and violence. Its timing connects the week of awareness with the solemn remembrance observed on November 20.

Transgender is an umbrella term for people whose gender identity differs from the sex they were assigned at birth. Some transgender people use terms such as trans, nonbinary, or another description that feels right to them. There’s no single way to be transgender, and people’s identities and experiences vary.

What the week means

Awareness can begin with listening. Transgender people have different backgrounds, beliefs, and stories; no one person can speak for everyone. Reading or watching first-person accounts can offer a clearer picture of everyday experiences, while reliable educational resources can help explain terms and common concerns.

The week also draws attention to barriers transgender people may face, including discrimination in schools, workplaces, health care, and public life. Support can be practical: using someone’s name and pronouns, challenging disrespectful behavior, and backing policies that protect people from unfair treatment. Small choices matter, especially when they help someone feel safe and respected.

Transgender Awareness Week and Transgender Day of Remembrance have related but distinct purposes. The week focuses on learning, visibility, and support. November 20 is a day of mourning and remembrance for transgender people who have been killed in acts of anti-transgender violence. Keeping that distinction in mind helps make the week’s events thoughtful and respectful.

Ways to take part

• Learn about transgender identities and experiences from reputable organizations and transgender writers, speakers, and creators. Check that the material is current and created with care.
• Ask people how they’d like to be addressed, and use the name and pronouns they share. If you make a mistake, correct yourself briefly and move on rather than making the other person comfort you.
• Attend a local library talk, community discussion, film screening, or online event. Follow the organizers’ guidance, especially when an event includes personal stories or sensitive topics.
• Talk with children in age-appropriate, straightforward language. Explain that people may understand and express their gender in different ways, and that everyone deserves kindness and respect.
• Support a local LGBTQ+ group through volunteering, donations, or sharing its public resources. Ask what help is useful instead of assuming what the group needs.
• Use the week to review your own habits. Notice whether your workplace, school, or community spaces make names and pronouns easy to share, and raise practical suggestions for making them more welcoming.
• Approach November 20 with care. If you join a remembrance event, follow its tone and customs, and give space to the people and families being honored.

Reviewed by the Holiday List editorial team on November 10, 2026 · Last updated November 10, 2026.

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