Today marks the beginning of Transgender Awareness Week.

It’s a week for fostering understanding, inclusivity, and respect for transgender people. 

Like me.

But why do we need Trans Awareness Week at all ?  For some, it may seem unnecessary or even uncomfortable to have weeks dedicated to specific minority groups.  Why do we, as a society, find it difficult to accept and embrace those who differ from a perceived “norm”?  Why are we so afraid of “others”? 

Human beings are tribal by nature.  Throughout evolution, belonging to a group - to be included - meant survival, while being “different” could be dangerous.  This survival instinct still drives us to cling to familiar, accepted worldviews, to feel “right,” and to reject those who challenge our beliefs.

Here are some reasons why:

1.   Identity:  We don’t just hold beliefs; they hold us.  Our worldviews shape our identities.  So, when others live or believe differently, we can feel that our identity is under threat and may react defensively.

2.   Comfort with Familiarity:  Predictability feels safe.  When someone’s identity doesn’t fit our expectations, it disrupts our sense of control.  To feel secure, we often reject these differences.

3.   Social Validation:  Shared beliefs strengthen social bonds.  Being on the “right” side reinforces belonging, but challenging accepted beliefs risks social isolation.

4.   Fear of Vulnerability:  New perspectives require openness and a willingness to change - a challenge for societies that favour certainty.

So often, our fear of others is a reflection of our fear of losing control, identity, or stability.

The truth is, each of us belongs to both majority and minority groups in different ways.  Take me, for example.  I am many things, and for most of them, I belong to majority groups.  But in one, I am an “other.”  I didn’t choose to be an “other.”  Instead, I chose authenticity, even at the risk of exclusion, embarrassment, and rejection.  I lost friends, dreams I once had, and family. It’s a hard path to walk, but I would walk it again in a heartbeat – because I also chose life.

Trans Awareness Week is an invitation to open minds and hearts, to see the humanity in everyone.  As we begin this week, let’s reflect on our shared humanity and our unique stories.  Let’s be proud members of both our majority and our minority groups.

Let’s choose empathy over exclusion, curiosity over judgment, and solidarity over fear.  Together, let’s build a world where “otherness” is celebrated and every person feels safe to be their truest self.

Love Bobbi ❤️

Wisdom speaker | Transformation Coach | Trans Woman | Model