The week and Transgender Day of Remembrance fall at a time of growing political tension
VIDEO TRANSCRIPT
Tim Thongchanh: I feel like it’s a time to remember your trans history and just learn different things
Naomi Infeld: It’s very important, especially as trans attacks and the marginalization of the trans community in particular have become one of the most politically charged issues of the 2020s so far and it’s very important for people who may not have the visibility in their community to say, hey, we’re out here doing this stuff everywhere we go, and no matter where we are, trans people will always still exist.
Tim Thongchanh: I think it’s also important to remember where you come from and the people who have fought in the past to be themselves. And I think it’s important to know the history to get to now and where we can go in the future.
SYRACUSE – N.Y.Naomi Infeld, a transgender student at SU, explained how throughout the past year, over 500 pieces of anti-transgender legislation were introduced on both federal and state levels across the country. She noted the harm this has not only on the community as a whole, but specifically transgender youth who wish to participate in activities such as sports.
Transgender Awareness Week occurs between Nov. 13 and 19 each year to encourage productive conversation about the transgender community and the issues it faces. The goal is to highlight challenges the community faces, such as discrimination, and encourage advocacy for the rights of transgender people.
“I feel like it’s a time to remember your trans history and just learn different things,” said Tim Thongchanh, a transgender student at Syracuse University. “If that makes sense, just raise awareness on different things that trans people have to go through and empathy – empathy for experiences and stuff like that.”
The week is followed by Transgender Day of Remembrance on Nov. 20; founded by Gwendolyn Ann Smith in honor of Rita Hester: a Black transgender woman murdered in her home in 1998 – the case remains unsolved. The day, initially started as a vigil, aims to honor transgender individuals who have lost their lives to violence.
The Progress Pride Flag, pictured above, is built upon the original pride flag and aims to encourage a community more accepting of transgender people and people of color (Copyright 2024 Gray Reed).
What are People Doing?
Organizations such as the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) and the Trevor Project took to social media to promote both Transgender Awareness Week and Transgender Day of Remembrance.
The Trevor Project shared a call for action on behalf of the transgender community, encouraging allies of the community, specifically cisgender individuals, to take accountability for mistakes and make conscious efforts to uplift transgender people in their lives.
GLAAD’s post centered around resources they offer to educate the public on Transgender Awareness Week. Its website also offers information pertaining to relevant upcoming court cases, such as U.S. v. Skrmetti, which tackles subjects pertaining to gender affirming care for minors.
Outside of social media, organizations including the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) took it upon themselves to share the stories of individuals in the community. One method was through the sharing of a video about teenager, Daniel Trujillo, with the goal of showing transgender youth as everyday people and not a political debate.
Why is it Important?
Transgender Awareness Week and Day of Remembrance both provide an opportunity for the modern transgender community to reflect on its history. This is important as it encourages the community to move forward in times of uncertainty, Thongchanh explained.
“I think it’s also important to remember where you come from and the people who have fought in the past to be themselves,” Thongchanh said. “And I think it’s important to know the history to get to now and where we can go in the future.”
Tim Thongchanh, pictured above, emphasized the importance of learning transgender history as a way to promote education about the community (Copyright 2024 Gray Reed).