Transgender Awareness Week & TDOR 2024

​By: Jaiyah Saelua

Every November, global SOGIESC & LGBTQIA+ communities celebrate Transgender
Awareness Week. This year, it’s recognized on November 13-19, with Transgender Day
of Remembrance (TDOR) on November 20, 2025.

Transgender Awareness Week came out of a need for the global trans community,
namely in hetero-dominant cis-normative western societies, to focus on educating and
building awareness in our respective communities. The challenges began, at no
surprise, when an organized effort from conservatives was created to counter the
progressive movement for basic human rights and an increase in transgender visibility.

This year, SOFIAS & The Fa’afafine Rural Program recognize the struggles of the
fa’afafine community who recognize as transgender – zero access to gender-affirming
and mental health care, a lack of resources for learning and empowerment, community
awareness, professional & cultural competency, and other such things that relate to the
uniqueness of trans needs. Progress, though slow at times, is inevitable. We are
committed to continuing on this progressive path towards building community
awareness, transgender empowerment, and ensuring the needs of our trans Samoans
are accessible on-island.
​
On November 20, SOFIAS held a TDOR service and candlelight vigil for fa’afafine and
trans Samoans who’ve lost their lives to violence. The vigil was held at the Fa’afafine
Rural Program’s Resource Center, and was exclusive to the fa’afafine community. We
are hoping that this will be an annual event, eventually opening it up to friends and
family who want to attend.