Trans Awareness and Visibility Week is celebrated November 13-19 to raise the visibility of transgender people and address issues the community faces. The week leads up to Transgender Day of Remembrance on November 20, an annual observance that honors the memory of the transgender people whose lives were lost in acts of anti-transgender violence that year.
Clemson will observe the week with a series of online events co-sponsored and coordinated by the Harvey and Lucinda Gantt Multicultural Center, Tri-County Gender Benders, TRANScending Barriers ATL, Student Leadership and Community Engagement, Graduate Student Government, CAPS and the LGBTQIA+ Engagement Committee.
“Trans Awareness and Visibility Week is important for several reasons,” said Ciera Durden, Gantt Center associate director for multicultural community development. “While I believe our community has been growing in understanding and support for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and other queer sexualities, trans issues and identities seem to be understood less, and I think this week helps bring needed education to our campus. But more importantly, TAVW is the opportunity to not just educate on trans identities, but to center and celebrate them. We strive for this week to be a time for people to come together and find community for trans students, faculty and staff to see themselves and the beauty of their lived experiences highlighted and affirmed.”
The scheduled events are:
Trans Resiliency in the South
Monday, November 16
6-8 p.m.
Join us for a virtual fishbowl discussion with several trans panelists as we explore topics including relationships, representation and advocacy, while reflecting on their experiences of being trans in the South. The event will conclude with a breakout room session so that attendees may speak personally with the panelists and ask questions.
Let’s Talk About It: Gender & Sexuality
Tuesday, November 17
6-7:30 p.m.
Join us for an open discussion on gender and sexuality and how they relate to one another. The event will start with a brief presentation on gender and sexuality as we discuss their differences, their relation to one another and identities related to them. We will conclude with an open-ended discussion on gender and sexuality open to all.
Holiday Simmons – Embodiment and Holistic Healing Towards Trans, Non-Binary, and Two-spirit Liberation
Wednesday, November 18
4 – 5:15 p.m.
Join TAVW keynote Holiday Simmons for this interactive workshop. Participants will engage in a centering exercise and learn about one particular approach to trans healing and liberation.
Trans Inclusivity: Student Org Training
Wednesday, November 18
7 – 8:30 p.m.
This workshop will help Clemson student organizations learn more about trans identities and how to be inclusive in all areas of their work from recruitment to program planning.
Student-Led Agender Presentation
Thursday, November 19
5-6 p.m.
This is a quick, fun presentation and discussion about what it means to be agender and how that can apply to people. Gender can be confusing, especially about the lesser-known communities. So let’s demystify the community.
Trans Day of Remembrance and Resilience Vigil
Friday, November 20
Noon-1p.m.
Join us in honoring the lives of people lost this year due to transphobic violence and the resiliency of the trans community.
For questions and accommodations, please contact Ciera Durden (cierad@clemson.edu) or Brandon Rodriguez (bjrodri@clemson.edu).
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