Transgender Awareness Week (November 13-19, 2024) is a global observance to educate society regarding transgender individuals and challenges they encounter with their identity. A transgender (or trans) person is someone whose gender identity or expression is different from the sex/gender they were assigned at birth. 

During this week, individuals who identify as transgender, along with their allies, engage in activities aimed at raising awareness and understanding about the transgender community. The observance focuses on spreading education through sharing personal narratives and experiences and promoting advocacy efforts to address the challenges of prejudice, discrimination, and violence that affect this population. Transgender people of color, especially transgender women who are Black or Indigenous, are at disproportionate risk of fatal violence. Black trans women in particular comprise the vast majority of victims of fatal violence against trans and gender non-conforming people.

Trans people face significantly higher levels of stigma, which can elevate substance use risk and health disparities (physical and mental) throughout their lifetimes. This stigma often takes the form of punitive legislation in both the historical and current political climate, employment discrimination, family unacceptance, and unequal criminal justice outcomes.

Transgender individuals need our support. Although you may not have detailed knowledge of their struggles, here are a few ways that you can help:

• Address them by their chosen pronouns and name
• Do not disclose information regarding their gender or transition without obtaining their consent.
• Communicate your sincere concern for their well-being.
• Educate yourself about transgender people by consuming books, podcasts, and other media created by trans people.
• Stay informed about harmful policies and legislation targeting trans people and advocate against them.

SAMHSA and the Central East PTTC offers the following resources to help you learn more about the transgender community:

• Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Intersex (LGBTQI+)
• LGBTQ+ Behavioral Health Equity Center of Excellence
• LGBTQ Youth and Substance Use Disorder
• Liberation Approaches in LGBTQ Behavioral Health and The Crossroads of Racial and Sexual/Gender Identity
• Suicide Prevention and LGBTQ Communities
• Prevention Strategies to Engage the LGBTQ Community

Another useful evidence-based resource is Reducing stigma toward the transgender community: A national survey study and stigma reduction evaluation, a poster produced by the Fairfield University Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences. There are also organizations in our region who are ready and able to offer assistance to transgender individuals and education to their allies. These are examples and this is by no means an exhaustive list:

• DC: The DC LGBTQ+ Community Center
• DE: West End Neighborhood House
• MD: The Pride Center of Maryland
• PA: Arcila-Adams Trans Resource Center
• VA: Transgender Assistance Program of Virginia
• WV: Fairness West Virginia

Transgender Awareness Week is a time to promote advocacy, awareness, and compassion for the global trans community. Every trans person deserves a life full of joy and self-actualization. Education, building relationships, and fostering understanding are good first steps toward eliminating the struggles we've mentioned here and building a world in which they are welcomed and valued.