Transgender Awareness Week starts Nov. 12

The Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition (MTPC) has announced the third annual Transgender Awareness Week beginning Nov. 12 - 20.

Organizers will spend the week educating the public about the transgender community and the pressing issues that are currently facing transgender people in Massachusetts. Events and educational opportunities are planned around the state by MTPC and a variety of other organizations and community groups. The Network/La Red, State Street Financial, the ACLU of Massachusetts and the Transgender Equal Rights Coalition are co-sponsoring this year's Transgender Awareness Week 2011.

"Public education helps to reduce negative stereotypes that exist about transgender people by bringing awareness to communities that transgender youth and adults are also our friends, family, and neighbors. By educating more people about the experiences transgender people face we expect more people will contact their legislators about the need to pass the Transgender Equal Rights bill," said Gunner Scott, executive director of MTPC.

Some of this year's events include the documentary screening Cruel & Unusual at AIDS Action in Boston; Nick Krieger reading from his memoir Nina Here Nor There: My Journey Beyond Gender in Amherst; Saving Our Lives: Preventing Suicide in Transgender Communities Video Launch event at the Samaritans, Inc. in Boston; and a free introductory training for organizations and service providers by MTPC entitled "Working with Transgender Communities in Boston."

In addition to the public education events there will be several Transgender Day Of Remembrance (TDOR) vigils happening around the state. Each Nov. 20, the worldwide transgender community turns its attention to its family, friends and loved ones who have been lost to violence and prejudice. TDOR is tradition inspired by the Allston, Mass. vigil remembering slain transgender individual Rita Hester in 1998, this day has become the worldwide rallying point for a community long under siege. In Boston, community members and allies will gather in St. Paul's Episcopal Cathedral downtown for a program of speakers, community speak out, and a candlelight vigil on the Common. This free program is on Sunday, Nov. 20 and begins at 4 p.m. and concludes with a reception featuring hot drinks and food.

Transgender Awareness Week events and Transgender Day Of Remembrance vigils will be regularly updated on the MTPC website http://www.masstpc.org.