Transgender Awareness Week promotes understanding of transgender community issues

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) - Freedom to live authentically is what transgender people hope for, but the lives of some have been cut short due to violence.

And right now is Transgender Awareness Week.

The goal is to increase understanding of transgender people and the issues they face.

According to the organization The Trevor Project, last year over half of LGBTQ youth identified as trans or nonbinary.

Members of the local trans community are asking for the public's support.

Renae Punzalan, Director of Youth Services at the Transgender Health and Wellness Center in Palm Springs, says, "Take some time to educate yourself on our community, and if you're an ally already, tell a trans person you love them and their fears and all that kind of stuff. It's a week where we really need to share the love with each other."

Transgender Awareness Week lasts through November 19th.

News Channel 3's Peter Daut spoke with Punzalan about Transgender Awareness Week.