Trans Awareness Week 2021

Tuesday, November 16, 2021

Trans Awareness Week and Trans Day of Remembrance

Transgender FlagThis week is Trans Awareness week, which includes Trans Day of Remembrance (November 20). This week is a time dedicated to increasing visibility and awareness of transgender communities and their resilience, without ignoring the ongoing discrimination they encounter.

Transgender Pride Flag designed by Monica Helms

Below, explore a non-exhaustive list of events, resources, and voices raised to amplify visibility and enhance understanding amongst cisgender people.

Thanks especially to SPECTRUM and the Glow Centre for Sexual and Gender Diversity for their commitment to honouring and organization of events/vigils for Trans Awareness Week and Trans Day of Remembrance!

Local Waterloo Vigil

November 20: Transgender Day of Remembrance Virtual Vigil. This year the Glow Centre for Sexual and Gender Diversity and SPECTRUM are partnering with ACCKWA and SHORE Centre for a virtual vigil event for the Transgender Day of Remembrance on Saturday November 20, 2021.

From 3-4 pmwe will hear from speakers. From 4-5 pmthere will be a facilitated healing circle. Learn more and register here. 

New Equity Office Workshop Offered

Join facilitators, Teneile Warren and Sarah Grzincic on December 2nd from 10am-12pm for a newly offered Equity Office workshop - Unlearning the Binary: Fostering a Truly Trans-Inclusive Campus. This workshop is open to students, faculty and staff, and aims to 1) foster an understanding of the historical and present-day issues impacting trans and non-binary Black & racialized identities, 2) debunk and de-mystify conversations around trans inclusion and 3) generate discussion on accountability frameworks and best practices to better affirm trans identities. Learn more and register. 

Other Events

  • November 20: The 519 Trans Day of Remembrance (TDoR) 2021. The 519, in Toronto, will commemorate the 22nd anniversary of Trans Day of Remembrance (TDoR) on November 20 at 4:00 pm. This year's community-chosen theme is "A Circle for Healing and Regenerating". Join them virtually to celebrate and honour the lives of the 2 Spirit, trans, and non-binary siblings we have lost to transphobia, hate crimes, illness, substance use, suicide, or murder. Learn more and register here.
  • November 20: Niagara Transgender Day of Remembrance Virtual Gathering 2021. The Niagara Transgender Action Coalition (NTAC) invites you for an afternoon panel discussion and live performance from 2-4 pm to virtually gather in recognition of the Transgender Day of Remembrance to honor the dead, support the living, and take action for a better tomorrow. Learn more and register here.