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Trans Awareness Week and Transgender Day of Remembrance 2025

Posted on behalf of: EDI Unit

Last updated: Thursday, 13 November 2025

Two pink and blue candles on a blue background

Transgender Day of Remembrance takes place on Thursday 20 November. It is an annual observance that honours the memory of transgender people whose lives were lost in acts of violence.

The week leading up to Transgender Day of Remembrance is Trans Awareness Week. This offers an opportunity to increase the visibility of the issues members of the trans community face, to share stories and experiences, and raise awareness of support and services available for trans people.

Sussex will mark Transgender Day of Remembrance by flying the trans flag over Sussex House.

Jackie De Beaudrap and Rach Vowden, Co-Chairs of the Trans and Non-Binary Staff Network, said: “On Transgender Day of Remembrance, we ask people both trans and cis to think about trans people who we have lost. These were people, both ordinary and extraordinary, whose lives were cut short directly or indirectly, by people and by systems that don't recognise the validity of who we are and how we take part in the world. They were our friends, our colleagues, our elders, and our young. But even as we remember them, we also recognise that we are still here, to remember them. And we will also still be here tomorrow, and for as long as there are people.”

David Ruebain, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Culture, Equality and Inclusion, said: “I am pleased to mark Trans Awareness Week and Trans Day of Remembrance and restate the University's commitment to the inclusion of our trans, non-binary and gender non-conforming staff and students. At this time, we remember trans people worldwide who have lost their lives to violence, as well as those who have survived. At Sussex, discrimination or harassment against our trans, non-binary and gender non-conforming staff and students is unacceptable, in line with our Dignity, Respect and Inclusion policy.”

Events at Sussex

The Trans and Non-Binary Staff Network and the LGBTQ+ Staff Network are collaborating on a Trans Day of Remembrance event. The event takes place on Thursday 20 November 2025, from 12 noon to 1.30pm at the Meeting House Chapel. Drop in any time to join reflections from speakers, candle lighting, decorate your own candle holder, and enjoy free soup accompanied by live music from Sekinue, the musical persona of Fíor Anderson, a trans, queer multi-instrumentalist singer-songwriter. Find out more about Sekinue.

Disclaimer: This event is taking place in the Meeting House (Chaplaincy). It is not a religious event, but people of all faiths or none are warmly welcome.

Everyone is welcome — staff, students, and allies. Please sign up for a free ticket by Monday 17 November 2025. If you would like to speak or share a poem, artwork, or reading, please submit this form by Wednesday 19 November 2025.

Transcend Sussex are holding a Trans Day of Remembrance event for students on 19 November, from 2.30pm to 6pm, at the Queery in Brighton.

Support for trans and non-binary staff and students

Our Trans and Non-Binary Staff Network at Sussex is a confidential and fully inclusive group open to all Sussex staff who identify as trans and/or non-binary. You can join the confidential mailing list by contacting transnonbinarystaff@sussex.ac.uk. The mailing list is monitored and accessed solely by the Co-Chairs of the Trans and Non-Binary Staff Network.

Staff members who identify as LGBTQ+ can join our LGBTQ+ Staff Network by contacting lgbt-staff@sussex.ac.uk. The LGBTQ+ Staff Network arranges events and activities through the year. Many of their events are open to all staff, and some events are also open to students. The LGBTQ+ Staff Network is fully open to and inclusive of trans and non-binary members. The LGBTQ+ Staff Network often collaborates with the TNB Staff Network.

Students who identify as trans and/or non-binary, or who are intersex, can contact the Students’ Union Trans and Non-Binary Group by emailing transnonbinary@sussexstudent.com. They can also get involved with Transcend, a SU-affiliated campaign and network aimed at uplifting the lives of trans, non-binary and gender non-conforming students at the University and beyond. You can contact Transcend at transcend.sussex@sussexstudent.com.

Students who identify as LGBTQ+ can join the Students’ Union’s LGBTQ+ Society and contact the Students’ Union officers for support or information.

Other resources and support

The University is committed to providing a safe, inclusive and respectful environment for every member of its community. If you or someone else has experienced behaviours such as bullying, harassment, a hate incident, sexual violence, domestic abuse or discrimination, you can let us know using Report and Support.

The University’s Wellbeing Support Guide contains a dedicated section signposting to a variety of LGBTQ+-specific resources.

Students can find resources and support at the Student Centre and on the Sexuality and Gender Support and Information web pages.

Trans and non-binary e-learning

Staff may wish to explore relevant e-learnings around Trans Awareness Week. In addition to the mandatory Diversity in the Workplace e-learning, the University also provides courses in Trans and Non-Binary Awareness and a guide for managers on Supporting Trans and Non-Binary People at Work.