Transgender Awareness Week
November 15, 2022
Transgender Awareness Week is observed annually from November 13-19 and leads up to the Transgender Day of Remembrance on November 20—a day to memorialize victims of transphobic violence. November 20 was originally a vigil to honour Rita Hester, a transgender woman killed in 1998. Now this day represents a time to honour those lives lost to transphobic violence every year. We encourage members to use this week to foster awareness about the experiences of trans and gender diverse people, learn more about inclusion, and to honour lives lost to transphobic violence. Be an Ally An ally is someone who actively and consistently supports, stands with and advocates for the 2SLGBTQI+ communities. The best way to be an ally is to listen with an open mind to trans and gender diverse people speaking for themselves. It is our responsibility to treat all people with dignity and promote a healthy and respectful workplace. Resources Workers In Transition: The Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) released a practical guide for union representatives and trans union members called Workers in Transition. The guide is designed for trade union leaders, union staff representatives, local executive, committee members and shop stewards. We all have a role to play to better protect the rights of our trans members and ensure they have the support they need in our workplaces, in our unions and in our communities. Download the guide from the CLC website. Building our future, with pride: Canada’s first Federal 2SLGBTQI+ Action Plan Consult Canada’s first Action Plan aiming at advancing rights and equality for Two-Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex and additional sexually and gender diverse (2SLGBTQI+) people in Canada. Canada’s first Federal 2SLGBTQI+ Action Plan… Building our future, with pride. Becoming an Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Ally and Agent for Change (INC121) – 1 hour | Online Course This online self-paced course presents strategies for becoming an advocate for equity, diversity and inclusion in the workplace. Participants will learn about the key concepts of allyship and how to communicate more inclusively, while gaining awareness of their own values and social perspectives.
Adopting an Inclusive Mindset at Work (INC122) – 1 hour | Online Course This online self-paced course articulates the power of inclusion and identifies best practices for encouraging greater equity, diversity and inclusion in an organization. Participants will learn how to apply inclusive recruitment and hiring principles, and how to commit to making inclusion part of their employee onboarding process.