Trans Community Events
Transgender Awareness Week
Every year on November 13 – 19, people and organizations around the country celebrate Transgender Awareness Week to help increase understanding about transgender people and the issues members of the community face. Transgender Awareness Week is a time for trans people and their allies to take action and to bring attention to the trans community through education, sharing stories and experiences, and advancing advocacy around issues of prejudice, discrimination, and violence that affect the transgender community.
2024 Events
Trans Awareness Week: Storytelling and Open Mic
Date: Monday, November 18, 2024
Time: 6-8 p.m.
Location: Fawcett Center, Clinton Room (2400 Olentangy River Rd)
In celebration of Trans Awareness Week in November, Trans*Mission is partnering with Central Ohio’s T Talks for a community storytelling event. This event will feature speakers from the local trans community and an open mic, so anyone in the gender diverse community can share their story. This event seeks to recognize and celebrate the trans community at Ohio State and in Central Ohio, building community on and off campus. Light refreshments will be served.
Please RSVP.
In light of our current political and social landscape, it is vital for those in the gender diverse community and our allies to unite and push back against ignorance and hatred. While these times are uncertain and distressing, this oppression is nothing new for those who are trans and gender non-conforming. We will continue to fight the battles ahead as a community, just as we always have. Our community will overcome adversity together, because love is stronger than hate.
In that spirit, this year’s theme is Empowerment and Resistance. We encourage participants to share their stories on living authentically, overcoming obstacles, self-advocacy, activism, resistance, joy, triumph, unity, and/or community pride. We kindly ask that speaking is reserved for those who identity as part of the trans/nonbinary/gender diverse community.
There is free parking for the event. Alternatively, you can get to the Fawcett Center by taking COTA bus #1 from High St. See the COTA Trip Planner for more details.
Transgender Day of Remembrance
The Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR) is recognized annually on November 20. TDOR was founded in 1999 by transgender advocate Gwendolyn Ann Smith as a vigil to honor Rita Hester, a transgender woman who was killed in 1998. The vigil commemorated the one-year anniversary of Hester’s death, and honored all the transgender people lost to violence that year. That initial event spread, eventually becoming a worldwide observance.
TDOR 2024
Date: Wednesday, November 20, 2024
Time: 6:30-9 p.m.
Location: King Avenue United Methodist Church (299 King Avenue, Columbus, Ohio)
King Avenue United Methodist Church hosts the annual Columbus Trans Day of Remembrance event in partnership with local organizations T Talks and Columbus Trans Pride. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. The program will be 7-8:30 p.m., followed by a short reception that will end at 9 p.m.
If you would like to volunteer for set-up, greeting, or clean-up, please contact Gwen at gwendolyn.derosa@gmail.com.
Trans Day of Visibility
Each year on March 31, the world recognizes Trans Day of Visibility (TDOV) to raise awareness about and honor transgender people. It is a day to celebrate the lives and contributions of trans people, while also drawing attention to the issues the community faces. TDOV serves to celebrate transgender people, empowering them to live authentically, while still acknowledging that due to discrimination, not every trans person can or wants to be visible.
Check back soon for info on Trans Day of Visibility Day 2025 events.
Trans Pool Party
Every April, Trans*Mission hosts the Trans Pool Party. This event provides an opportunity for Ohio State students of all genders, expressions, and sizes to swim and have fun in a safe and affirming environment. Trans*Mission rents out the entirety of the RPAC's Aquatic Pavilion, with private access to two pools, a hot tub, and locker rooms. Allies are welcome to attend, but please be mindful that this event is first and foremost a trans-affirming space.
Check back soon for info on the 2025 Trans Pool Party.