Transgender Awareness Week 2025
Transgender awareness week is november 13 - 19
By now, we should all be aware that trans people exist and have always existed, all around the world, in all walks of life. So why do we still have an awareness week?
From GLAAD:
“Transgender Awareness Week is a week when transgender people and their allies take action to bring attention to the trans community by educating the public about who transgender people are, sharing stories and experiences, and advancing advocacy around issues of prejudice, discrimination, and violence that affect the transgender community.”
Trans Awareness Week culminates in Trans Day of Remembrance (TDoR), a solemn day when community members and allies gather to grieve and honour those who have lost their lives to anti-trans violence.
Visibility and awareness don’t always equal safety
We could say that the general public has never been more aware of trans people, and yet we’re only seeing an increase in anti-trans violence, both on a person-to-person level, and at the level of government policy.
According to Stats Canada, 59% of trans and gender diverse people report having experienced violent victimization, compared to 37% of cis-gendered people. Trans people are more than twice as likely to face unwanted sexual behaviours in public and in their workplaces and were more likely to have experienced online harassment compared to cis folks.
We are seeing an unprecedented attack on the rights of transgender people in places like the United States, with government restricting access to gender-affirming healthcare, the ability to use bathrooms that align with their gender, the ability to change gender markers on passports, and sports bans aimed largely at trans women.
It’s a dark and difficult time for the community, which means that allies need to step up now more than ever to fight for the rights, safety, and dignity of trans people.
listen to trans people
A big part of that fight starts with listening to what trans folks have to say. Learn about their experiences, the battles they’re already fighting, and the incredible things they’ve achieved. It’s important to let trans people tell their stories, to be fully human, and Trans Awareness Week is a great time to seek those out! Follow trans people on social media, read books by trans authors, and watch movies and tv shows that center trans stories in a good way.
Check out this short and sweet video from Human Rights Campaign, showing how a trans teen’s story is no different from any other teen.
resources & support
for allies:
Read our blog post on becoming a better 2SLGBTQIA+ ally.
Trans Care BC has a series of free, online learning opportunities. While many of these are geared towards clinicians and service providers, there are foundation-level topics that introduce gender diversity and Indigenous gender diversity.
for trans people:
For trans feminine folks in the Yukon, check out BRICKS, a Whitehorse-based solidarity and advocacy group dedicated to supporting their community.
Queer Yukon has a gender gear program, peer support groups, and a utility payment program that all regularly benefit trans folks in the territory.
Call Trans Lifeline for peer support, Monday to Friday, 11 am – 7 pm MST/10 am – 6 PM PST. Please note that the hotline will be closed on Trans Day of Remembrance, November 20, 2025. 877-330-6366
Sadly, we know that trans and non-binary people face higher rates of suicide. If you’re struggling with suicidal thoughts, call or text 9-8-8, 24 hours a day, every day of the year.