Transgender Awareness Week and Transgender Day of Remembrance

Thursday, November 13, marks the start of Transgender Awareness Week, which runs through November 19 and leads into Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR) on November 20. This week is dedicated to raising awareness and deepening understanding of transgender individuals and the challenges they face. While Transgender Awareness Week focuses on education and visibility, TDOR is a solemn day set aside to honor and remember the transgender lives lost over the past year to anti-transgender violence.

Now more than ever, our transgender friends, family members, and neighbors need love, support, and solidarity. It’s important for everyone to understand that being transgender is not a choice. Life is challenging for all of us, but for transgender individuals, those challenges are compounded by cruel and unnecessary barriers, many of them driven by a judicial and political climate that is increasingly hostile. Too often, transgender people are used as pawns to sow division when all they want is the freedom to live their lives authentically and safely.
You may be wondering, “What can I do to be a better ally?” The LGBTQ+ advocacy organization GLAAD offers this guidance: “Learn about trans people by educating yourself with credible resources about community, language, issues, stories, and actions.”
To explore GLAAD’s resources, visit glaad.org/transgender.

Transgender Awareness Week and Transgender Day of Remembrance Events

November 18 – Ridgefield
The Ridgefield Commission on Aging’s monthly Senior Voices program will feature Ridgefield CT Pride for a panel discussion from 1:00–2:30 pm at the Ridgefield Library. Participants will hear personal stories from local residents and learn how Ridgefield works to foster understanding and inclusion for all. A Q&A session will follow. Free. Reigstration required.

November 19 – Wilton
Wilton Pride and the Wilton Library will host author Jillian Celentano for “A Conversation on Navigating Transgender Identity and Well-Being” from 6:30–8:30 pm at the Wilton Library. Registration required.

November 20 – Bridgeport
A Trans Day of Remembrance Community Gathering will be held from 4:30-6:30 pm at the Margaret Morton Government Center. The event will include a healing drum circle and remarks from guest speaker Tiana Maxim.

By educating yourself and others about transgender and gender non-conforming communities, and by showing your support this week, you help extend a message of acceptance and belonging. That simple act of humanity may be exactly what someone needs to feel seen, valued, and hopeful.

About Ridgefield CT Pride

Since its founding in 2019, Ridgefield CT Pride has worked to raise visibility, awareness, and understanding of the LGBTQ+ community while offering meaningful support. The organization provides ongoing programming to ensure the message of belonging is shared year-round. Many of these initiatives are built through partnerships with organizations across Ridgefield, maximizing reach and impact.
To learn more about programs, events, and resources, visit ridgefieldctpride.com.