Dear Highline Community,

The LGBTQIA+ Task Force and Q Center invite you to participate in Transgender Awareness Week (Nov. 13-19) and Transgender Day of Remembrance (Nov. 20). During this time, we honor and uplift the trans community and reaffirm Highline’s commitment to a learning environment rooted in social justice, mutual respect, understanding, civility, and non-violence.

About Transgender Awareness Week (TAW) Transgender Awareness Week is a time for transgender people and allies to educate the public about the experiences, stories, and challenges of the trans community. It’s a chance to bring attention to issues of prejudice, discrimination, and violence faced by transgender individuals and to celebrate the resilience and diversity within the community.

About Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR) Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR) was founded in 1999 by trans advocate Gwendolyn Ann Smith to honor the memory of Rita Hester, a transgender woman tragically killed in 1998. Each year on November 20th, communities worldwide hold vigils to remember trans lives lost to violence. Members of Highline’s LGBTQIA+ Initiatives will be attending UTOPIA Washington’s Transgender Day of Remembrance event at Green River College on Nov 20th at 7 PM. 

How You Can Get Involved

• Attend a Vigil: All are welcome to join us at UTOPIA Washington’s event or participate in another local vigil to honor lives lost to anti-trans violence.
• Learn and Advocate: Support trans communities by engaging with trusted resources that foster understanding and allyship. We recommend GLAAD’s Tips for Allies of Transgender People.

Thank you for taking the time to reflect on this important week and the urgent issue of anti-transgender violence. Together, these observances provide an opportunity to support Highline’s commitment to safety, inclusion, and respect for all members of our community. To learn more about ways to stand in solidarity, please contact the LGBTQIA+ Task Force or the Q Center. We hope you’ll join us in supporting efforts to end violence against the trans community and to foster an environment where all can live authentically and thrive.

In Solidarity,

LGBTQIA+ Task Force and Q Center