Trans Awareness Week is an annual campaign held 13 - 19 November dedicated to centring the experiences and voices of the transgender community and educating the public about the challenges trans and gender nonconforming people face. This November, RHSU’s Trans Awareness Week will be led by LGBT+ Students Community Officer, Derwen Fay, with support from RHSU LGBT+ Society and SU staff.
This year’s campaign has three main objectives:
- Promoting & Fundraising – Raising money for the RHUL Transition Fund which provides financial support for trans students through GoFundMe donations.
- Education – Creating and promoting accessible information surrounding medical and social transition services in the UK.
- Awareness – Highlighting the erosion of trans rights and support in the UK and creating space for informed discussions around transness and allyship.
Throughout the week there will be a wide range of events students can participate in designed to raise awareness, build community, and celebrate trans joy. From banner & protest sign making, clothes swaps, letter writng sessions there are activities for everyone to get involved, learn, and be an ally.
During the week we will also be raising donations for the Royal Holloway Transition Fund, set up in 2023, a mutual aid fund to help transgender members of the LGBT+ Society fund private transition costs. For more information on the fund and how to sign up for it or donate, please contact lgbt.community@royalholloway.su or come along to an event to speak to the RHSU LGBT+ Students Community Officer!
The campaign will finish with Trans Day of Remembrance on November 20th, where communities can come together to honour and remember the lives of trans people lost to violence and discrimination. You are welcome to speak at the vigil, whether you are prepared or not.
If you would like more information on transitioning in the UK, you can access our Trans Informational Document on the LGBT+ Society Instagram bio (@rhul_lgbt) or LGBT+ Students Community Officer Instagram bio (@rhsu_lgbt_community).