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It’s Transgender Awareness Week (November 13-19). This is a time to recognize, honor and celebrate transgender and gender non-conforming people in our community. It is also — especially on Nov. 20, Transgender Day of Remembrance—a time to reflect on the violence and prejudice that these individuals continue to face.
While we can’t easily gather to mourn or rally for action or dance in celebration this year, there are many ways to participate virtually. Check out this list of virtual events and resources — we hope you’ll find something that moves you. (Quotes below are from event hosts.)
- Explore Trans Empowerment, Resistance and Resilience Days (TEMPRR) with the PSU Queer Resource Center. Open to students and community members alike.
- Join a virtual, interfaith candlelight vigil on Thursday, Nov. 19, at 7pm. Facilitated by First Unitarian Portland , the vigil will serve “to honor and memorialize our transgender siblings who have died in the past year; to offer a message of hope and welcome for transgender people into affirming faith groups of all kinds; and to build more resilient community in the work towards liberation.”Open to all.
- Contribute to Q Center’s living memorial wall by November 30thwith a photo, remembrance or message. “In addition to photos of Transgender individuals slain in the United States in 2020, we are also centering voices of the LIVING Portland area Trans/GNC community. If you are an individual whose identity falls outside of the cis-gender/binary limits and are currently or have ever lived in the Portland area, this invitation is for you!”
- View the Q Center memorial wall in person at Q Center, 4115 N Mississippi Ave, Portland, OR 97217, and can be safely viewed from outside.
- Brush up on your allyship with this great resource from the Human Rights Campaign. From tips for discussing gender diversity with family members, to ways for better affirming and supporting the trans and gender non-conforming people in your life, to ideas about making systemic changes, there are many opportunities for allyship here. “Stay committed, keep learning, and keep going.”
- Watch DISCLOSURE, a Netflix documentary directed by Sam Feder and executive produced by Laverne Cox, about transgender people and gender diversity in the entertainment history through the decades. Explore how representation has changed, and what work is still to be done.
