Transgender Awareness Week

The first week of November typically begins with third parties hosting events at venues (including online venues) surrounding a main central venue, followed the second week by more venues at the main area showcasing more and more in-depth events. The purpose of Transgender Awareness Week is to educate about transgender and gender non-conforming people and the issues associated with their transition or identity.

History

There have been many pivotal historical moments that relate to transgender advocacy.

• 1952: Christine Jorgensen is featured in American national media – provided a large number of people with access to information about transgender issues for the first time as she was the first American publicly known to have undergone sex reassignment surgery.
• 1954: news of the first known British trans woman, Roberta Cowell, broke, gaining public interest around the world.
• 1964: American trans man Reed Erickson creates the Erickson Educational Foundation – the first foundation to donate millions to promote transgender and gay equality.
• 1972: Sweden legalizes gender reassignment – the first country to legally allow citizens to change sex.
• 1975: the Gender Dysphoria Clinic at Queen Victoria Hospital, Melbourne was established by Trudy Kennedy and Herbert Bower.
• 1979: the Victorian Transsexual Coalition and the Victorian Transsexual Association is formed, Australia's first transgender rights and advocacy organisations were established.
• 1979: A Change of Sex, the BBC documentary about male to female transgender person Julia Grant.
• 1986: Lou Sullivan founds FTM International – the first advocacy group for transgender men; the purpose was to challenge the popular idea that all trans men were lesbians before they transitioned into male.
• 1998: Rita Hester's murder – murdered on November 28 because of gender identity, a candlelight vigil was held on December 4 to honor Hester's life; death lead to inspiration for the idea of the first International Transgender Day of Remembrance started by trans woman Gwendolyn Ann Smith.
• 1999: The murder of PFC Barry Winchell for dating a trans-woman Calpernia Addams.
• 1999: The first observance of International Transgender Day of Remembrance to commemorate victims of anti-transgender hate crimes, observed on November 20.
• 2002: Transgender Law Center founded – aimed to alter laws and opinions regarding transgender people so they could live a life without discrimination based on gender identity.
• 2002: Sylvia Rivera Law Project founded – provides legal and educational services and works towards altering policies.
• 2003: National Center for Transgender Equality founded – founded to progress the equality of transgender people through advocacy, collaboration, and empowerment.
• 2007: "Born In The Wrong Body", The first American documentary about both male to female and female to male transgender airs on MSNBC featuring Juan LaPerla (John Stepanian), and the House of LaPerla.
• 2007: "Born In The Wrong Body: On The Edge", The second in the Born In The Wrong Body series showcasing the New York underground ballroom scene with Juan LaPerla (John Stepanian) and the House of LaPerla.
• 2009: The first observance of International Transgender Day of Visibility - This day was created by Michigan transgender activist Rachel Crandall Crocker to serve as a positive counterpart to Transgender Day of Remembrance, it is celebrated living trans people and raises awareness to transgender issues, observed on November 20.
• 2010: the Australian Defence Force policy was amended to allow transgender Australians to openly serve.
• 2010: Gender Health Center, Sacramento, California, United States of America opened its doors.
• 2012: The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission declares transgender people protected against employment discrimination because of violations to Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

These are just a few of the many important moments that have led to increased transgender advocacy and awareness.