Transgender Awareness Week is recognized during the second week of November to educate the public about transgender and gender non-conforming people and the issues associated with their transition or identity. The annual celebration highlights the experiences of transgender people and their allies who raise awareness via education, story sharing, and advocacy around the issues of prejudice, discrimination, and violence that affect the transgender community.
The week culminates on November 20th with Transgender Day of Remembrance, which honors the memory of the transgender people whose lives were lost in acts of anti-transgender violence.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates there are nearly one million people in the US alone who identify as transgender. Of note, transgender women are among the groups most affected by HIV in the U.S., and more so for women of color.
As ICAP continues to pursue its mission to transform the health of populations through innovation, research, and global collaborations, we recognize all members of the global transgender community and share in their journey to lead healthier lives.
The Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) has taken a broad approach to educate the public about transgender issues and is one of several organizations around the globe that have planned activities to observe the week.
A major global health organization that has been improving public health in countries around the world for over 15 years, ICAP works to transform the health of populations through innovation, science, and global collaboration. Based at Columbia University in New York City, where it is part of the Mailman School of Public Health, ICAP has projects in more than 30 countries, working side-by-side with ministries of health and local partners to confront some of the world’s toughest health challenges. Through meaningful research, tailored technical assistance, effective training and education programs, and rigorous surveillance to measure and evaluate the impact of public health interventions, ICAP aims to realize a global vision of healthy people, empowered communities, and thriving societies. Online at icap.columbia.edu
