Trans* Week of Awareness aims to bring awareness of the experiences of transgender individuals. 

The week is a national occasion that leads up to Transgender Day of Remembrance, which is always observed on Nov. 20. The day began to commemorate Rita Hester, a transgender woman who was killed in 1998, according to GLAAD, an LGBTQ non-governmental organization.

The week will be observed at UK, hosted by the Office of LGBTQ* Resources.

Office of LGBTQ* Resources Coordinator Rayne Parker said the office has been hosting the week since the office opened three years ago.

Before that, Trans* Week of Awareness events were still held on UK’s campus. Parker said those events were hosted by groups like OUTsource and in partnership with Lexington organizations, including Transylvania University.

Now that the Office of LGBTQ* Resources hosts the week, it teams up with student groups like the Gay/Straight Alliance and The Queer Project. For specific events throughout the week, the office partnered with the VIP Center and the Counseling Center.

Parker said these events are definitely not just for transgender individuals.

“Most of the events that we’re having for this week are for individuals who don’t identify as transgender or gender non-conforming,” Parker said. “They’re events that are informative to the general populace so that people can become educated.” 

Parker said people can become aware of individuals with these identities as well as learn how to advocate for them.

“Especially since it is an underrepresented and underserved group,” they said.

The full events of the week are listed below, with descriptions courtesy of the Office of LGBTQ* Resources.

Rock Your Monday

Join LGBTQ* Resources and UK Counseling Center. Come decorate your own rock with words of affirmation, wisdom or encouragement to keep or pass along.

When: Nov. 13 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Where: 114 Frazee Hall

Trans* 101: An introduction to language and identities

Partake in a workshop on language and identity and develop a better vocabulary to talk about trans* issues. Topics to be covered: names, pronoun usage, productive dialogues, and how to make UK more trans* inclusive.

When: Nov. 13 at 7 p.m.

Where: 214 White Hall Classroom Building

Rainbow Conversation

Ph.D. candidate Holly Brown will discuss her graduate research “Gatekeeping Systems for Transgender Health Care.” Lunch provided. 

When: Nov. 14 at 12 p.m.

Where: 313 Blazer Dining Hall

Wellness and Beyond! with PFLAG

Our panel will cover a lively variety of topics: Trans and Queer Health services and research; HIV prevention and management; Breast/Chest Feeding Without Birthing; Mental Health resource for LGBTQ+ folks. Presentation and Q & A takes place the first hour, followed by a confidential support group meeting. There is no charge.

When: Nov. 14 at 6:30 p.m.

Where: St. Michael’s Episcopal Church, 2025 Bellefonte Dr. 

Green Dot Overview

Participate in a Green Dot Overview at the VIP Center to learn about how you can actively contribute to ending violence within our campus community. Lunch will be provided by the Office of LGBTQ* Resources and the event will be hosted in the VIP Center. Attendees will also receive information about VIP Center Services as well as complimentary Network Resource Cards.

When: Nov. 15 at 12 p.m.

Where: VIP Center, Frazee Hall

Trans* Identities and Experiences Panel

Join us to hear individuals speak on their identities and experiences.

When: Nov. 16 at 7 p.m.

Where: UKAA Auditorium, William T. Young Library

Transgender Day of Remembrance Vigil

Join LGBTQ* Resources in reflection honoring the trans* individuals whose lives were lost in 2017.

When: Nov. 20 at 7 p.m.

Where: Main Building steps; Rain location: 6 p.m. in Holmes Hall