Trans Awareness Week: A Time to Reflect, Act, and Support the Trans Community

Trans Awareness Week (TAW) is a week dedicated to raising visibility for transgender people and the issues that affect the trans and gender-diverse community.

During this week, individuals, organisations, and allies come together to raise awareness, celebrate trans identities, and highlight the challenges faced by trans people. It’s also an opportunity to reflect on how we can all be better allies and provide support for trans communities.

One of the most important days during Trans Awareness Week is Trans Day of Remembrance (TDOR), observed on 20th November. TDOR honours the lives lost to transphobic violence, remembering those whose stories may never be told, while also amplifying the ongoing struggle for trans rights, safety, and equality. It is a day to recognise the intersection of violence, discrimination, and the daily struggles that many trans people face, but also a day to celebrate resilience, strength, and community.

In honour of Trans Awareness Week, we’re spotlighting three organisations that are doing vital work for the trans community. From tackling disinformation to supporting gender-affirming healthcare and amplifying the voices of trans-led initiatives, these organisations are leading the charge in creating a more inclusive, equitable world for trans and gender-diverse individuals.

Trans Justice Project: Combating Anti-Trans Disinformation & Empowering Communities

Trans Justice Project is Australia’s first trans-led national campaigning organisation. Their mission is to build a powerful, trans-led movement standing up for freedom, justice, and equality for all trans and gender diverse people. Over the past year, Trans Justice Project have brought together trans advocates from across the country for the first ever national strategy retreat, have formed local action groups in communities across the continent, and have launched several campaigns fighting for trans and gender diverse people, including successfully preventing anti-trans figure Kellie-Jay Keen from returning to the country.

In honour of Trans Awareness Week, Trans Justice Project is providing essential resources and tools for allies, advocates, and trans people themselves. One of their standout resources is the Anti-Trans Disinformation Handbook. This invaluable guide responds to key pieces of anti-trans disinformation, providing the facts and practical tools necessary to combat these harmful narratives. For people who want to get involved, Trans Justice Project also supports a number of local groups which can be joined here.

Trans Justice Project has a donation page where supporters can contribute to their ongoing work. Donations help fund resources, advocacy, and campaigns that work towards a future where all trans people are safe, celebrated, and free.

Equality Australia: Advocacy for Trans Rights and Wellbeing

Equality Australia is a national organisation dedicated to securing equality for LGBTIQ+ people in Australia. They focus on advancing human rights, ending discrimination, and ensuring access to legal protections for the LGBTIQ+ community. Equality Australia uses legal, policy and communications expertise to ensure LGBTIQ+ people are treated with respect and dignity.

For Trans Awareness Week, Equality Australia is working with Transcend, AusPATH and LGBTIQ+ Health Australia on resources and information for the trans community on trans healthcare.

Equality Australia’s ongoing work alongside the trans community including the #TransEquality campaign ensures that trans Australians are not only protected under the law but have access to vital healthcare services that respect and affirm their gender identity. By supporting organisations like Equality Australia, you’re helping to make these essential rights a reality for everyone.

GiveOUT Day: Supporting Trans-Led Organisations & Impactful Donations

GiveOUT Day is Australia’s only dedicated day for LGBTQIA+ giving, aiming to address the chronic underfunding of LGBTQIA+ organisations. On the third Thursday of October each year, GiveOUT Day unites the rainbow community to fundraise, support, and amplify the incredible work being done by over 120 LGBTQIA+ non-profits across the country.

This year, GiveOUT Day raised over $450,000, with nearly $100,000 dedicated to organisations that focus on supporting trans and gender-diverse communities. This fundraising effort highlights the vital role of donors in sustaining initiatives that centre trans people and the issues that affect them.

GiveOUT Day is not just about fundraising; it’s about raising awareness and celebrating the amazing work of trans-led and trans-focused organisations. The “Where are the Rainbow Resources” report, created by GiveOUT in collaboration with Aurora, paints a stark picture of the challenges faced by trans communities. The report highlights that:

• Transgender and intersex organisations are among the least funded groups under the LGBTQIA+ umbrella.
• Trans people, particularly trans women, have been at the forefront of LGBTQIA+ activism, playing key roles in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
• One third of transgender people have experienced homelessness.
• Trans and gender-diverse people are 11 times more likely to attempt suicide than their cisgender peers.
• Trans people are more likely to experience sexual violence and are four times more likely to experience coercion compared to the general population.

These statistics underline the urgent need for greater support for trans people and trans-led organisations. By donating to organisations like those listed above, you’re not only helping to combat these disparities but also supporting communities that have been historically underserved and underfunded.

How You Can Be an Ally This Trans Awareness Week

Being an ally to the trans and gender-diverse community involves more than just showing support during Trans Awareness Week – it’s about taking sustained action. Here’s how you can help:

1. Donate: Contribute to organisations that are led by and for trans people, such as those featured in this blog.
2. Educate Yourself: Read resources like the Combating Anti-Trans Disinformation Handbook or Equality Australia’s Gender-Affirming Healthcare Resource Pack to better understand the needs and experiences of trans individuals.
3. Call Out Transphobia: Stand up against harmful comments, behaviours, or policies that negatively impact trans people.
4. Amplify Trans Voices: Share and support trans-led projects and initiatives, and encourage others to do the same.
5. Advocate for Change: Engage with policymakers to push for the legal and social changes needed to create a safer, more equitable society for trans people.

By taking these steps, you can help make a meaningful difference in the lives of trans and gender-diverse people, not just during Trans Awareness Week, but all year long.

Trans Awareness Week offers an important opportunity for reflection and action, but it is only one part of the ongoing effort to create a more inclusive and supportive world for trans and gender-diverse people.

By supporting organisations like Trans Justice Project, Equality Australia, and GiveOUT, you are directly contributing to a better future for trans communities.

Let’s continue to stand in solidarity, raise our voices, and show our commitment to a world where everyone – regardless of gender identity – is treated with respect, dignity, and equality.