Transgender Awareness week is all about educating the public about who transgender people are, sharing stories and experiences, and highlighting the issues of prejudice, discrimination and violence...
Transgender Awareness week is all about educating the public about who transgender people are, sharing stories and experiences, and highlighting the issues of prejudice, discrimination and violence that affect the transgender community. To mark the occasion and to raise awareness, WFRS will be raising a trans flag at their headquarters in Leamington Spa.
Warwickshire Pride, in partnership with WFRS, is also hosting a one-hour virtual training session on trans awareness that will open up a conversation around the experiences of the trans community as well as a focus on terminology, issues faced by trans people, the process of transitioning, making services inclusive and trans allies.
Talking about the virtual training session, Chief Fire Officer for WFRS, Kieran Amos said:
“We understand that trans rights are human rights and by supporting Transgender Awareness Week we also want to show that we promote equality and diversity within WFRS and across Warwickshire.
“We want to learn from the trans community so that we can eliminate all discrimination and prejudice across our service and across the county. Whether you are a member of the trans community or you would like to learn more about how you can become an ally, I would like to encourage everyone to sign up to the training session with Warwickshire Pride so that we can all listen and learn together.”
During Transgender Week, Transgender Day of Remembrance will also be taking place on Friday 20th November. The day honours the memory of transgender people whose lives have been lost in acts of anti-transgender violence this year. Usually the day is marked with vigils hosted by LGBTQ+ organisations at places like community centres, parks and places of worship however this year, due to the Coronavirus pandemic, Warwickshire Pride are hosting a virtual vigil which will also be attended by members of Warwickshire County Council and the fire and rescue Service.
Councillor Andy Crump, Portfolio Holder for Fire and Rescue and Community Safety, said:
“We hope that by taking part in the Transgender Day of Remembrance vigil, trans members feel supported by Warwickshire County Council and the fire and rescue service.
“We are grateful to Warwickshire Pride for giving us the opportunity to be involved. We also hope that by taking part in these activities for Transgender Awareness Week, it will enable our service to develop the way we work so that WFRS can become a more diverse and inclusive employer of choice for the trans community.
Join Warwickshire Pride’s virtual one-hour training session on Thursday 19th November at 2pm by registering here - https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJEqf-2orDIqEtKfKqLp_Y12CADXPwoeuNXp
Join Warwickshire Pride’s Transgender Day of Remembrance Vigil on Friday 20th November at 7pm-9pm. Registration is required in advance by visiting - https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJArcOmupzwtEtISNcv1dLBYk9snesbo-Fmx