Transgender Awareness Month November 2024 – Fostering Understanding and Inspiring Action
This month includes Transgender Awareness Week (November 13-19) and culminates in Transgender Day of Remembrance (November 20), a day to honour the lives lost to anti-transgender violence.
Through educational events, personal storytelling, and advocacy, Trans Awareness Month aims to foster understanding, promote inclusivity, and inspire action toward a world that respects and uplifts all gender identities.
A study conducted by Stonewall in 2018 found that 25% of people who identify as transgender in the UK had used drugs in the previous year, a significantly higher rate compared to 10% of the general UK population. Additionally, the report indicated that transgender people are more likely to use drugs such as cannabis, ecstasy, and cocaine.
Transgender people in the UK also face increased mental health challenges, including high rates of depression and anxiety, often due to experiences of discrimination and isolation. According to Mind UK, about 48% of transgender people experience depression, and nearly 40% report anxiety, with many turning to substances as a coping mechanism.
At The Forward Trust, we are proud to be celebrating Transgender Awareness Month. Our LGBTQ+ Employee Resource Group will be sharing experiences internally with staff regarding the experiences of transgender people in prison throughout the month, and all staff will be provided with resources to help them with any questions they might have.
Darren Lacey, The Forward Trust’s Inclusion Co-Ordinator and LGBTQ+ Lead, had this to say about the month:
“Transgender Awareness Month is important on many levels, firstly to educate the wider community about transgender and gender non-conforming people and the issues they face just by being themselves – there is so much misunderstanding and misinformation out there.
“Secondly, it’s a time to celebrate our trans and gender non-conforming communities and show true allyship which can and should be instilled all year round.
“By actively celebrating, we can contribute to a world that values and respects every individual, regardless of their gender identity.
“I am so proud to work Forward, an organisation that doesn’t just do the bare minimum but goes above and beyond to provide dedicated support to the LGBTQ+ community, all year round.
“Everyone, no matter how you identify, should feel able to come and get support and understanding and to be their authentic selves.”
At Forward, we are proud to offer a dedicated, year-round service to anyone.
Here, you’re free to be yourself – without fear of judgment or stigma.