Honoring Trans Awareness Week (Nov 13–19)
by Dr. Denise Renye
Trans Awareness Week is here, a time to uplift, celebrate, and stand alongside the trans and gender-diverse community. Every November, the week leading up to Transgender Day of Remembrance on November 20 invites us to reflect on visibility, resilience, and the ongoing work of creating a world where all gender identities can thrive safely and freely.
In my consulting room, I often hear stories from trans and gender-diverse clients about both the beauty and the challenges of living authentically. These stories carry courage, the courage to be seen, to belong, and to keep becoming. Trans Awareness Week reminds us that affirmation and respect are not one-time gestures. They are a daily practice woven through how we speak, connect, and show up for one another. And now, with personal agency and freedom under direct attack, it’s more important than ever to honor gender diversity.
Why This Week Matters
This week is an opportunity to:
Celebrate trans and nonbinary people in all of their diversity and brilliance
Center trans joy and resilience, not just stories of struggle
Learn how to be better allies in our language, workplaces, and communities
Remember those we have lost to anti-trans violence on Transgender Day of Remembrance and recommit to a world rooted in safety and love
Reflect on the ways we can create safe and affirming spaces, especially in therapy and mental health care, so trans folx feel seen, respected, and fully supported
In therapy and community care, we can start with curiosity. Ask yourself, "How can I make my language more affirming? How can I model safety and inclusion? How can I stand beside my trans and nonbinary loved ones not just this week but always?"
Virtual and in-person Events to Join
If you would like to connect and learn more, here are some meaningful virtual gatherings happening this year:
Point of Pride’s Trans Awareness Week Series
Point of Pride is hosting a lineup of online events throughout the week, covering everything from self-expression to empowerment. Some highlights include:
Financial Literacy for Trans Folks: Rewriting Our Money Narratives on Nov 13
Connection and Isolation: A Film Screening and Conversation on Nov 14
Trans Voice 101: Finding and Building Your Authentic Voice on Nov 17
Letters of Love and Solidarity: A Community Writing Event on Nov 18
Building Confidence Through Fitness: A Transmasculine Approach on Nov 19
You can explore all the offerings here: Point of Pride – Trans Awareness Week 2025
Lambda Legal: State of Trans Rights Webinar
Join Lambda Legal’s national webinar on Thursday, November 18, for a discussion on the current landscape of trans rights and protections. It is a thoughtful space to understand where we are and where we are headed in the movement for equality and justice.
Bay Area Events
Queer & Well Presents - A TGNC Self-defense Training Class: A self-defense class for the transgender and gender non-conforming (TGNC) community.
Date: Thursday, November 13, 2025 at 5:30 PM
Location: SF LGBT Center, San Francisco, CA
Hidden Fantasea: A performance by a trans active duty and veteran-run production, featuring drag and performance art.
Date: Friday, November 14, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Location: Redwood Empire Bar, Vallejo, CA
2025 THEYFRIEND Nonbinary Performance Festival: A festival celebrating nonbinary gender expression through various art forms.
Date: Friday, November 14, 2025 at 8:00 PM
Location: CounterPulse, San Francisco, CA
Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDoR) Events:
TDOR in South San Francisco: Save the date for the 2025 TDoR event hosted by San Mateo County Behavioral Health & Recovery Services.
Date: Thursday, November 20, 2025 from 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Location: South San Francisco's Park and Recreation Center, South San Francisco, CA
TDoR Community Gathering: An event to memorialize and remember victims of transphobic violence, with proceeds going to The Transgender District.
Date: Thursday, November 20, 2025
Location: The Academy, San Francisco, CA
How everyone Can Honor This Week
Listen and learn. Read, follow, and amplify trans voices
Use your voice. Advocate for inclusive healthcare, schools, and workplaces
Reflect. Notice how gender norms and assumptions show up in your own life and relationships
Celebrate. Visibility is about joy too, including art, creativity, expression, and community
Keep going. Support trans rights all year, not just this week
Center safety in therapy and mental health spaces. Ensure trans clients can explore identity, embodiment, sexuality, and relationships without fear of judgment or erasure
Trans Awareness Week is not only about awareness. It is about belonging. It is about affirming that everyone deserves to feel at home in their body, in their identity, and in their communities. Safe and affirming spaces, especially in therapy, are essential for trans folx to heal, grow, and thrive
As a Bay Area psychologist and sex therapist, I remain committed to offering a space where all gender expressions, identities, and transitions are welcomed with respect and compassion. My practice centers authenticity and embodiment, because healing happens when we feel free to be who we are fully and unapologetically.
If you are looking for affirming therapy, consultation, or resources to support trans wellbeing, you are always welcome to reach out.