Marking Transgender Awareness Week

Throughout the year, we come together to develop our understanding of topics connected to diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I).

For the first time at Ardonagh, we've marked Transgender Awareness Week, which takes place globally from 13–19 November and provides an opportunity to further knowledge and understanding of the community.

Culminating the week is Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDoR), honoured each year on 20 November. This observance provides a point to unite in the memory of transgender people whose lives were lost in acts of anti-transgender violence that year and to further visibility of the trans community. 2024 sees the 25^th anniversary of the day. What started following the killing of an innocent trans woman in 1998 has gone on to lead a global movement.

Honouring the week at Ardonagh

We’ve had the privilege of hearing from colleagues across The Ardonagh Group who have shared their personal experiences, particularly focused on family and parenthood.

From leaning in to support loved ones, to managing challenge in family dynamics, and the reality of looking after one another throughout the journey, these stories have provided invaluable insight into the trans community and allyship.

As a thanks to those colleagues who shared their lives with us, The Ardonagh Group's independent charity, ACT (Ardonagh Community Trust), has donated £500 each to charities of choice, which include:

• Mermaids UK
  Mermaids supports non-binary, trans and gender diverse young people and their families.
• War Child UK
  War Child aims to protect children around the world affected by conflict and educate people about the desparate need of those living in war zones.
• akt (Albert Kennedy Trust)
  akt is a national LGBTQ+ charity supporting 16–25 year olds across the UK at risk of or experiencing homelessness.

Furthering understanding and allyship

We can all do more to learn about trans people, through education, listening and asking considered questions.

The fantastic PRIDE Community in Ardonagh Advisory compiled a deck of facts, figures and resources connected to trans-awareness and trans-visibility. Included was also a range of trans icons, profiling members of the community championing inclusion and change, such as

Charlie Martin

British racing car driver, trans and LGBTQ+ activist, the first Stonewall Sports Champion ambassador, made history as the first trans person to compete in the 24hrs of Le Mans endurance race.

Marsha P. Johnson

Marsha P. Johnson was one of the most prominent figures of the gay rights movement of the 1960s and 1970s in New York City and is often credited with kickstarting the Stonewall Uprising in 1969, which helped launch the LGBTQ+ rights movement. She also helped found the Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries (STAR) group, campaigning for greater inclusion for trans people.

Wendy Carlos

American three-time Grammy Award-winning musician, electronic music pioneer, and composer behind the iconic soundtracks of A Clockwork Orange, The Shining, and Tron, Wendy Carlos is also the first known trans recipient of a Grammy Award.

DE&I year-round at Ardonagh

DE&I is close to the heart of Ardonagh and ACT alike. Launched earlier this year, our Group-wide Ardonagh Allies podcast series drops regular episodes, showcasing colleagues from across our brands discussing topics connected to DE&I important to them.

Ardonagh's platforms and brands also lead a suite of DE&I forums and initiatives, including Ardonagh Advisory's PRIDE Community who have been a huge part of the trans awareness activities over the week.