13-19 November is Transgender Awareness Week, followed by Transgender Day of Remembrance on 20 November.
Transgender Awareness Week takes place from 13-19 November every year: a week-long celebration and awareness event to raise visibility and awareness of transgender, non-binary and gender non-conforming people across the world. As well as raising awareness of the issues that these communities can face, it’s also a time to celebrate the achievements and contributions of those who identify as trans.
Transgender Awareness Week is followed by Transgender Day of Remembrance on 20 November, originally held in the US in 1999 as a vigil to honour the lives of two black transgender women, Rita Hester and Chanelle Pickett, who had been murdered in previous years. TDOR is now an annual event to remember, mourn and honour all those who have tragically been lost to anti-trans violence.
To mark Transgender Awareness Week and Transgender Day of Remembrance we’ll be flying the trans flag on the Portico building in the Main Quad from 13-20 November.
Get involved
- University College London, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT (0) 20 7679 2000
. One way that you can demonstrate support and allyship with our Trans community is to adopt inclusive language. You can find out further information on inclusive language and pronouns here , and you may also wish to consider d’isplaying your preferred pronouns on your MS365 account.
Be an Active Bystander. The Active Bystander Programme from Students’ Union UCL is the largest programme of its kind in the country, with over 50,000 students having attended the training. It aims to give students the knowledge and practical skills to be an Active Bystander in their community - that is, learning to be aware of others’ behaviours and, when the behaviour is inappropriate, choosing to challenge it in a safe way. Staff are welcome to complete the online module of the training.
If you see it, or experience it, report it. It should go without saying that harassment, bullying or victimisation is not tolerated at UCL and these behaviours are contrary to UCL’s Prevention of Bullying, Harassment and Sexual Misconduct Policy , UCL Core Behaviours Framework and Student Code of Conduct. To report unacceptable behaviour, such as transphobia or any other form of harassment, please use Report and Support.
Get cultural! Students’ Union UCL have curated a list of activities in London to check out this week - why not take a look?
Students’ Union UCL’s Trans* Students Network provides an opportunity for students self-defining as Trans* to be part of a community of their peers. Students’ Union UCL’s LGBTQ+ Network is closely related to and collaborates with the Trans Network. Trans* students are encouraged to join both networks and enjoy the support and events of both.
Students’ Union UCL’s Gender Expression Fund provides financial assistance for students to purchase items that will make them more comfortable with their gender presentation and, we hope, improve their wellbeing.
The UCL Trans Network is open to all staff, postgrad and PhD students at UCL who identify as trans. It hosts a range of peer support and community building opportunities. The Chairs of the Trans Network are also members of UCL’s LGBTQ+ Steering Group (LESG)
UCL’s LGBTQ+ Equality Steering Group (LESG) is composed of a range of lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and queer staff and those interested in promoting LGBTQ+ equality at UCL, and also leads on Out@UCL, which is the social arm for staff. The group is also there to support asexual, aromantic and intersex staff.
UCL’s Employee Assistance Programme offers free, confidential advice and mental health support to all staff.
To receive private and confidential support on issues relating to bullying and harassment, UCL has a range of Dignity Advisors who are committed to supporting all members of staff, including those who identify as trans, nonbinary and genderfluid.
