TfL supports Transgender Awareness Week

The week beginning 14^th November saw individuals and organisations across the country participating in events in support of Transgender Awareness Week.

Transgender Awareness Week aims to help raise the visibility of transgender and gender non-conforming people and tackle the issues the community faces. It is a time for transgender people and their supporters to draw the public’s consideration towards the community by educating people around the issues of bias, inequity and intolerance that transgender people experience.  The week of celebrations and support concludes with the annual Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR), which memorialises victims of transphobic violence.

To recognise Transgender Awareness Week, Transport for London (TfL) raised the blue, white and pink trans pride flag at St James’s Park Tube station as a mark of unity and to help the transgender community feel safe and secure when using public transport. As a service provider to one of the most diverse cities in the world, TfL are dedicated to improving transport in London and making it more accessible and safer for all.

Environmental advisor Stella Gardiner has worked for TfL for 28 years, during which time she has transitioned, and helped unveil the flag for Transgender Awareness week.

Stella commented on the event: “To me it means a huge amount – I’ve come from being closeted, being afraid to even tell anyone that I was trans 25 years ago, to coming out, transitioning and asking for the trans pride flag to go up. It feels like there’s been a real change.”

She continued: “It’s very important that we say that we are doing everything we can that trans people are not only visible but that staff are trans aware, and that we are doing everything so that trans people are not discriminated against, do not get bullied, and do not get abuse on our system. Raising the flag is just one simple gesture to show the company and show the public that we are trans inclusive.”

Are you interested in a career with TfL? Please click here!

VERCIDA works with over one hundred clients who are committed to creating an inclusive work environment. If you are an employer and interested in working with VERCIDA to promote your diversity and inclusion initiatives and attract the best candidates, please call 02037405973 or email [email protected] for more information.

We are also officially recommended by Disability Confident as a step on achieving Employer status, please click here for more information.