November is Transgender Awareness Month. The 1998 murder of Rita Hester, a Black transgender woman in Massachusetts, inspired transgender advocate Gwendolyn Ann Smith to organize the first Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDR)in 1999. This annual event, held on November 21, is a day of mourning and remembrance, and draws attention to the persistent violence and hate crimes faced by transgender and non-gender-conforming people. 

The Day of Remembrance ultimately gave rise to Trans Awareness Month (November), which includes celebrations of trans joy, culture, achievements and contributions. 

Because being transgender is so widely misunderstood, TAM includes educating the public with fact-based information about our transgender neighbors, friends and family members.

So, what should we be aware of?

Trans people have always existed. Throughout history and in every culture, people have lived outside the gender norms prescribed to the sex they were assigned at birth.

What does it mean to be transgender? How does someone come to be trans? These are common questions that deserve factual, truthful answers. Gender identity is a person’s deepest sense of self as male, female or somewhere on the spectrum in between. The deep sense of one’s gender can be the same as or different from their physical sex. 

Scientists continue to study the complex interplay of genetics, prenatal hormones, psychology and culture that gives rise to our gender identity. What the scientific evidence does not support is the idea that being trans is a choice or a passing fad.

Trans people want what everyone wants: to be treated fairly and with dignity. Many simply want to be left alone, not condemned, scapegoated or attacked.

The violence is real. According to the Human Rights Campaign and the Trans Murder Monitoring Project, at least 27 trans people were killed in the U.S., and 281 worldwide, between November 2024 and November 2025. These are only the cases that were known and reported, so the true numbers are likely higher. They also don’t include the many non-fatal assaults and insults trans people endure.

All the above are why organizations like the Trans+ Support Initiative (TSI) and Eastern PA Trans Equity Project exist. TSI advocates for trans people and works to replace misinformation with facts. Throughout the year, TSI also hosts events open to everyone, so neighbors can meet, talk and enjoy our shared humanity.

Some upcoming local events honoring TAM are:

The Sullivan County Legislature’s Trans Awareness Month Proclamation ceremony will be held Thursday, November 12 at 11:30 a.m. at the Government Center, 100 North St., Monticello. The ceremony will be led by legislator Cat Scott.

TSI’s Movie and Popcorn Night, a free community-wide event, will next be held on Wednesday, November 18 at the Callicoon Theater, 30 Upper Main St. in Callicoon at 7 p.m., featuring a screening of “Close to Me.”

The Trans Day of Remembrance Memorial Service will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, November 20 at the Callicoon Train Depot, 40 Lower Main St. 

When we meet face to face, we learn, we connect, and we come to appreciate our shared humanity.

Paul Matwiow is a licensed mental health counselor and a co-founder of the Trans+ Support Initiative NY/PA.