Transgender Awareness Week – 13 – 19 November 2025
Transgender Awareness Week is an important time for promoting visibility of transgender identifying people and the issues that they face. The week serves as a space for advocacy for all trans individuals, including young people, a group that often navigates solitary challenges in their journey of self-discovery and acceptance.
Adolescence is a period of rapid growth, discovery, and exploration. For young people identifying as trans, this process is complicated by the realization of an internal gender identity that is different from the sex assigned to them at birth. This journey is rarely not difficult, including misunderstanding from peers, discrimination, and an overall lack of support.
The Importance of Recognition
Recognising and validating trans young people means more than just acknowledging their existence. It means validating their identities, respecting and using their chosen names and pronouns, and creating safe, inclusive environments where they can feel confident in themselves. When any young person is seen and affirmed for who they are, it has serious positive impacts on their mental health and well-being – and this is specifically important for people who have been constantly discriminated against throughout their whole history. Studies consistently show that trans young people who receive support from family, schools, and communities experience lower rates of depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts.
Challenges Faced by Trans Young People
Despite more awareness for the demographic than we’ve seen ever before, trans young people still face significant difficulties. They are very often targets of bullying and harassment, both in person and online. Access to gender-affirming healthcare, which is recognized as medically necessary by major medical organizations, can be difficult to access due to legal restrictions, financial barriers, or a lack of information. Furthermore, societal disapproval and misconceptions can lead to feelings of isolation and alienation.
How to Be a Good Ally
During Transgender Awareness Week and beyond, there are many ways to support trans people:
- Educate Yourself: Learn about transgender identities, terminology, and affecting issues.
- Listen: Pay attention to the experiences and perspectives of trans young people and adults.
- Advocate for Inclusive Policies: Support policies in schools, healthcare, and government that protect and affirm transgender rights.
- Challenge harmful perspectives and misinformation: Speak out against transphobic discourse and stereotypes.
- Actions speak louder than words: Intervene if you witness bullying or discrimination against transgender individuals.
- Offer Direct Support: For anyone in a position of authority- creating an open, loving, and accepting environment is the best thing you can offer. This includes affirming their gender identity, supporting their choices, and advocating on their behalf.
Transgender Awareness Week provides an essential opportunity to shine a light on the lives of transgender people, including our young people. By fostering environments of understanding, acceptance, and affirmation, we can help ensure that all transgender young people have the chance to grow into happy, healthy, and authentic adults. This isn’t just about tolerance; it’s about celebrating diversity and upholding the fundamental right of every individual to be recognized and respected for who they are.
Layla
Not just elected members
Did you know that Somerset Youth Parliament isn’t just it’s elected members? Any young person in Somerset aged 10-25 years can become a member of the Somerset Youth Parliament Advisory Group.
For more information about becoming a member of the Somerset Youth Parliament Advisory Group and to join, visit our Join Us page.
