Transgender Awareness Week
Transgender Awareness Week for 2025 is November 13 to 19 and November 20th is Transgender Day of Remembrance.
On November 20, 2020, Canada’s federal government noted in a statement that, “We must do better by continuing to condemn all acts of violence against transgender people and to integrate Trans perspectives into Canadian institutions so that they can meet the needs of all Canadians.”
Egale noted this week that, “Canada is witnessing an increase in anti-trans sentiment, impacting everything from inclusive healthcare to the safety and rights of trans youth. Legislation and policy decisions in some areas have limited access to necessary protections, placing trans and gender-diverse youth at heightened risk.”
Sadly (and infuriatingly), Alberta’s Conservative government invoked the notwithstanding clause on November 18, 2025 to circumvent Canada’s Charter of Rights and Freedoms to protect three of its anti-trans laws that passed earlier in the year.
While studying for my Master of Social Work Degree, I came across Queer Theory and I truly believe its premise that gender and sexual diversity are perfectly normal in our diverse world. All queer people are meant to exist and the vast majority of you are entirely awesome. Where we run into difficulty is when unaccepting and bigoted systems oppress our rights and freedoms.
To all trans and gender diverse people – and your families, teachers, coaches, and medical teams - I want you to know that a great many Albertans (including myself and Reverve Counselling) are angry at our government for usurping your freedoms and we see you and we see your struggles in this unhelpful (but temporary) provincial government perspective.
Reverve Counselling is here for you if you are struggling, and especially if you are a parent or guardian struggling to support your gender diverse child(ren).
References and Resources
Boyd, A. (2025, November 18). Danielle Smith prepares to use the notwithstanding clause to shield Alberta’s transgender youth laws. The Star. https://www.thestar.com/politics/danielle-smith-prepares-to-use-the-notwithstanding-clause-to-shield-albertas-transgender-youth-laws/article_96053baa-2be6-4cc0-887b-4a64e1c22893.html
Calgary Outlink. (n.d.). Calgary Outlink – Centre for Gender & Sexual Diversity. https://www.calgaryoutlink.ca/
Canadian Heritage. (2020, November 20). Statement by Minister Chagger on Transgender Day of Remembrance. Government of Canada. https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/news/2020/11/statement-by-minister-chagger-on-transgender-day-of-remembrance.html
Centre for Sexuality. (n.d.). 2SLGBTQ+ Programs & Services. https://www.centreforsexuality.ca/programs-services/2slgbtq-programs/
Department of Justice Canada. (n.d.). The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. https://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/csj-sjc/rfc-dlc/ccrf-ccdl/ (Ministère de la Justice)
Egale Canada. (2025). Trans Awareness Week 2025. https://egale.ca/egale-in-action/transweek2025/
French, J. (2025, November 18). Alberta government notwithstanding clause bills. CBC. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/alberta-government-notwithstanding-clause-bills-9.6983786
Pliszka, H. (2025, September 20). Anger is a gift. Reverve Counselling. Retrieved November 19, 2025, from https://www.revervecounselling.ca/blog/anger-is-a-gift
Scace, M. & Smith, A. (2025, November 18). Notwithstanding clause and trans, gender-diverse youth bill in Alberta. The Globe and Mail. https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/alberta/article-notwithstanding-clause-trans-gender-diverse-youth-bill/
Skipping Stone Foundation. (n.d.). Skipping Stone. https://www.skippingstone.ca/
Social Workers Association of Alberta. (2024, February 5). Statement on Alberta anti-trans policies. https://www.myswaa.ca/advocacy-representation/statement-on-alberta-anti-trans-policies
TESA (Transgender Education & Support Association). (n.d.). TESA. https://www.tesaonline.org/