Supporting our Trans community
As we mark Trans Awareness Week, I’d like to take a moment to reflect and to invite our whole community to do the same. This week provides an important opportunity to deepen our understanding of the diverse experiences of transgender, non-binary and gender non-conforming people, and to reaffirm our commitment to fostering an environment where everyone feels seen, respected and valued.
Awareness is often the starting point for real change. For many, understanding the lived realities of trans communities begins with learning about the systemic challenges people continue to face - whether discrimination, barriers in education or the workplace, or inequitable access to healthcare and support. But Trans Awareness Week is also a time to recognise the resilience, leadership and creativity within trans communities. Trans people contribute profoundly to every part of society, from science and the arts to public service, education and activism.
It is also essential to acknowledge that there is no single “trans experience.” Each individual’s journey is shaped not only by their gender identity but also by race, culture, disability, socioeconomic background, faith and other intersecting identities. Recognising this complexity helps us move beyond assumptions and cultivates a more compassionate and informed understanding of what it means to be transgender.
Get involved with Trans Day of Remembrance
Trans Awareness Week leads into Trans Day of Remembrance on 20 November, a solemn day dedicated to honouring the lives of transgender people lost to anti-trans violence. This year, a community ceremony will take place outside Colchester Town Hall in the city centre. Please join us there from 7.30pm. Our Students’ Union are also holding a vigil in The Atrium from 5pm. If you are a student and need help getting into Colchester, you can also book a free transport ticket with the SU if you book before 19 November.
Trans Day of Remembrance is a moment for mourning, reflection and recommitment; a reminder of the urgency of creating communities where trans people are safe, supported and able to live openly without fear. Remembering those we have lost reinforces why inclusion and advocacy are essential parts of our shared responsibility.
At the heart of this week is action. Acknowledging challenges is important, but it is our everyday behaviours that create an inclusive culture. Being a good ally can mean using the correct pronouns, challenging discriminatory behaviour, advocating for inclusive policies, educating ourselves about trans issues or listening with empathy and respect. These everyday actions, taken together, help create a working and learning environment where trans, non-binary and gender non-conforming people can be their authentic selves and truly thrive.
As Inclusion Champion, I encourage each of us to use Trans Awareness Week and Trans Day of Remembrance as catalysts for learning, reflection and meaningful action. Together, we can help ensure our community is one where everyone feels valued, supported and celebrated.
Online resources
These online resources are provided by Onvero. You’ll need to register with your University email address to see them.
Watch
- Trans Awareness Week: Q&A interview with Max Siegel
- Trans inclusion: Creating better workplaces for Trans employees
- What’s in a pronoun? Understanding identity at work