Transgender & Nonbinary Empowerment Month: Honoring Resilience, Visibility, and Action
Eric Subido
What is Transgender & Nonbinary Empowerment Month?
Every November, LGBTQ+ communities, organizations, and allies come together to recognize Transgender & Nonbinary Empowerment Month — a time to celebrate resilience, uplift voices, and reaffirm a collective commitment to equity and inclusion. While the month encompasses grief, remembrance, and reflection, it also emphasizes empowerment and pride.
Transgender Day of Remembrance
At the heart of this month is the Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR) on November 20, a solemn occasion honoring transgender people whose lives were lost to anti-transgender violence. The observance was founded in 1999 by Gwendolyn Ann Smith, a transgender activist, writer, and designer from the San Francisco Bay Area. Smith created the day to memorialize Rita Hester, a Black transgender woman from Boston whose 1998 murder received little respectful media coverage but sparked a movement for visibility and justice. What began as a local vigil organized by Smith has since grown into a global act of remembrance and resistance—reminding us each year of the urgency of advocacy, the persistence of violence, and the enduring strength of the trans community.
Transgender Awareness Week
The week leading up to TDOR — Transgender Awareness Week — is a time dedicated to education, visibility, and allyship. From November 13–19, organizations and individuals highlight the challenges and achievements of transgender and nonbinary people.
This week is about raising awareness of the prejudice and discrimination that trans and gender-expansive people face, while celebrating their resilience and contributions to society.
Many institutions such as universities, nonprofits, and major companies take part through social campaigns, panel discussions, and visibility initiatives.
Empowerment Over Awareness: A Shift in Language
While “Transgender Awareness Month” remains widely used, many institutions — such as UC Berkeley’s Division of Equity & Inclusion — have embraced the name “Transgender & Nonbinary Empowerment Month.”
This shift reflects a growing desire to move beyond awareness toward celebration, agency, and empowerment. The focus is not only on recognizing challenges, but also on amplifying joy, creativity, leadership, and community success.
Empowerment Month honors the multifaceted experiences of trans and nonbinary people, their art, activism, families, and futures. It invites everyone to celebrate authenticity as strength.
How Do Organizations Acknowledge Transgender & Nonbinary Empowerment Month?
Many companies and institutions are making meaningful strides in how they commemorate this month. Examples include:
- Google highlights stories of trans and nonbinary employees through its Trans@Google community, offering panels on inclusive tech spaces and mental health.
- Target collaborates with trans-owned brands and donates to organizations like GLSEN to support LGBTQ+ youth.
- The Trevor Project launches campaigns focused on suicide prevention and self-affirmation for trans and nonbinary youth.
- Universities such as Michigan, Harvard, and UC Berkeley host empowerment events,and storytelling exhibits.
These efforts share a unified goal – creating inclusive environments where trans and nonbinary people can thrive, not just survive.
- Trans Awareness Week Explained — A short introduction to the week’s purpose and global observance.
- Transgender Day of Remembrance: “You Cannot Erase Us” — A moving look at the meaning and emotions behind TDOR.
- Human Rights Campaign’s Trans Empowerment Playlist — Stories and educational spotlights from the Human Rights Campaign.
Follow for Education & Empowerment
Social media is a powerful space for allyship and learning. Following trans and nonbinary educators and creators fosters ongoing awareness and connection.
Here are a few recommended Instagram accounts to explore:
- @alokvmenon — Nonbinary poet and educator exploring gender freedom through art and activism.
- @jacobtobia — Writer and advocate blending humor and insight to spark understanding.
- @abbychavastein — Author and activist merging spirituality and trans advocacy.
- @becomingjude — Nonbinary campaigner advocating for visibility and youth empowerment.
- @transequalitynow — The National Center for Transgender Equality’s official page with policy updates and advocacy actions.
- @indyamoore – Trans and non-binary actor, model, and advocate whose Instagram merges storytelling, identity, and activism. Their feed offers powerful reflections on representation, visibility, and collective empowerment.
- @thejeffreymarsh – Non-binary author, speaker, and social-media educator whose Instagram blends lived experience, affirmations, and community-focused activism. A powerful source for self-love, visibility, and trans/queer empowerment.
A Call to Action: Empowerment
Empowerment begins with everyday action. Here are tangible ways we can all contribute this month — and beyond:
- Listen and learn: Follow trans and nonbinary creators, educators, and advocates.
- Uplift voices: Share stories, art, and businesses owned by trans and nonbinary people.
- Create safe spaces: Ensure workplaces, classrooms, and homes affirm people’s names, pronouns, and identities.
- Advocate for equity: Support policies that protect trans rights in healthcare, housing, and employment.
- Show up: Attend vigils, awareness events, or empowerment panels.
- Donate or volunteer: Support groups such as Trans Lifeline, The Trevor Project, GLAAD, and Transgender Law Center.
Empowerment Is Ongoing
Transgender & Nonbinary Empowerment Month reminds us that visibility is power, but empowerment is transformation. By honoring those we’ve lost, celebrating those living authentically, and working toward a more equitable future, we turn awareness into sustained action.
Every voice matters. Every ally counts. Every act of affirmation changes lives.