( New York, NY, November 12, 2015 ) — Lambda Legal today announced a series of events it is hosting, co-hosting or participating in to mark Transgender Awareness Week ( Nov. 16-20 ). Focusing on themes of both remembrance and resilience, these national events highlight the wealth of experiences and perspectives of transgender people, as well as the work of our partners and allies.
Thursday, November 19: From 6pm to 7pm ( EST ), Lambda Legal and GLSEN will co-host a Google Hangout event called Trans Youth Speak ( www.youtube.com/watch ) . Moderated by Lambda Legal Staff Attorney and Transgender Rights Project advisor Demoya Gordon, the event will feature transgender and non-binary students and activists discussing experiences they have had in school, at home and in their communities. Its goal is to help inspire and empower transgender youth to advocate for themselves by highlighting the realities they and their peers face and explaining what resources are available to them should they face any difficulties at school or elsewhere.
Friday, November 20: Lambda Legal client Robina Asti ( www.lambdalegal.org/blog/topic/robina-asti )will conduct a TEDxCUNY talk ( www.tedxcuny.com/ ) , in which she will discuss issues facing transgender youth, including discrimination and family acceptance, as well as possible solutions. The event will be hosted at Borough of Manhattan Community College's TriBeCa Performing Arts Center.
That evening, community educators from Lambda Legal's Midwest Regional Office will take part in Chicago's first annual Out in the Open Sleepout to support LGBTQ youth. ( www.sleepoutchicago.org/ ) The Out in the Open Sleepout is an all-night charity event with the aim of raising awareness and funds for local organizations working to combat youth homelessness and celebrate the survival and spirit of homeless youth. 78% of LGBTQ youth in Chicago's Department of Children & Family Services system are likely to experience homelessness at some point.
Over the weekend: Lambda Legal Community Educator Crispin Torres will be the keynote speaker for Kalamazoo's Trans Day of Remembrance on Sunday Nov. 22 in Kalamazoo, Michigan. ( www.kglrc.org/ ) The event is hosted by Kalamazoo's Gay Lesbian Resource Center.
In Atlanta, Lambda Legal will host a Transgender Day of Resilience event on Sunday Nov. 22 from 5pm to 8pm at The Rush Center ( 1530 Dekalb Avenue ). The event will feature films, performances, and conversations honoring the resiliency, creativity and celebration of trans people. Contact hsimmons@lambdalegal.org for more information .
Lambda Legal experts will also commemorate the week with a series of blog posts concerning transgender remembrance and resilience, addressing violence against transgender women of color, access to healthcare for transgender people and traveling while transgender, among other topics. Read them here, on our blog, starting Mon. Nov 16.
Lambda Legal is a national organization committed to achieving full recognition of the civil rights of lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, transgender people and those with HIV through impact litigation, education and public policy work.
