Transgender Awareness Week 2025 – “Union doesn’t exist in isolation”

Today, Thursday 20th November 2025, is Transgender Day of Remembrance, which closes out Transgender Awareness Week 2025.

In another article to mark an important date in the EDI calendar, NEC Ordinary Director Sean Taylor takes a look at inclusion, tolerance and Union, and how LGBTQIA+ rights, gender awareness and trans inclusion go in tandem with the core our Spiritualist values, philosophy and our Seven Principles.

Transgender Awareness Week takes place from 13-19 November every year: a week-long celebration and awareness event to raise visibility and awareness of transgender, non-binary and gender non-conforming people across the world. As well as raising awareness of the issues that these communities can face, it’s also a time to celebrate the achievements and contributions of those who identify as trans.

Transgender Awareness Week is followed by Transgender Day of Remembrance on 20 November, originally held in the US in 1999 as a vigil to honour the lives of two black transgender women, Rita Hester and Chanelle Pickett, who had been murdered in previous years. It is now an annual event to remember, mourn and honour all those who have tragically been lost to anti-trans violence.

On this important day, as a Union let us honour the lives of transgender individuals who have been tragically lost to transphobic violence. This day is not just a moment of mourning – it is a call to remember, to reflect, and to stand united against the hatred that continues to claim lives. Each life taken was a person with dreams, families, laughter and love. Their stories deserve to be heard, their memories cherished, and their humanity affirmed.

“The Spiritualists’ National Union considers that inclusion is not just a legal or moral obligation – it is a fundamental survival instict.”

Inclusion is a survival instinct. The Spiritualists’ National Union considers that inclusion is not just a legal or moral obligation – it is a fundamental survival instinct. The need for inclusion is greater than ever. Embracing diversity strengthens resilience, fosters innovation, and creates a learning environment. At its core, inclusion is about fairness, dignity, and equity of opportunity. Every individual member, employee, and student of the SNU should be able to visit, work or study without fear of discrimination or exclusion. The UK has strong legal protections to promote diversity and prevent discrimination. The Equity Act 2010 provides a robust framework, protecting individuals across nine protected characteristics. Our ethos around diversity and inclusion emerges from a desire and motivation to express our first Principle, the Fatherhood of God.

The Union doesn’t exist in isolation. The conversations, conflicts, and cultural divides that dominate domestic and international politics and national culture inevitably seeps into our Union, churches and centres. In today’s climate, where political and social divisions are sharper than they’ve been in decades, equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) can become a sensitive issue. Political debates about identity, equity and fairness are louder and more polarised than ever before. Whether it’s gender identity, immigration, or racial justice, these topics can provoke strong opinions, and none of us leave those opinions at the church door.

LGBTQ+ rights are under renewed threat, citing the rise of radical political movements both in the UK and abroad. It’s deeply concerning that there is a growing rollback in equity, which many believe to be driven particularly by right-wing populist rhetoric and policies. These are dangerous times – rights that took decades to win can vanish almost overnight if wen are complacent. History shows us that when extremist voices get louder, they target minorities first. This requires more than attending Pride events or sharing solidarity messages on social media, it requires active engagement, challenging discriminatory narratives, and supporting campaigns for equity.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has issued new guidance suggesting that trans women could be legally excluded from single-sex spaces such as public toilets, changing rooms, women’s refuges, and some sports settings. The proposals, which have drawn immediate criticism from LGBTQ+ and human rights groups, follow a landmark Supreme Court ruling earlier this year that defined the legal meaning of “woman” in certain contexts as being based on biological sex rather than gender identity. The EHRC’s announcement adds to a growing sense of division over trans rights in the UK, with debates about gender recognition, sports participation, and inclusive education becoming increasingly politicised.

EDI in an age of political division isn’t about diluting your commitments to keep everyone comfortable. It’s about leading with clarity, consistency, and compassion. This applies to the SNU and its committees, churches, centres and branches, too, so that even in turbulent times, our Union remains a place where we feel safe, respected, and able to work together with the Spirit World. The road ahead toward embedding EDI in the foreseeable future isn’t about grand statements – it’s about quiet, consistent action. Our Union aims to centre equity, listen to lived experience, and innovate for inclusivity to create an environment where everyone thrives.

We must stand by our trans brothers and sisters and ask them where we can help them. It can be as simple as having a brew and talking to them. It could be helping to fundraise for them, the list is endless.

Our second Principle, Brotherhood of Man does not distinguish between anyone. It says we must help people in trouble; trans people need that help and support, now more than ever.

Our guiding vision for the Spiritualists’ National Union, as outlined by President, Minister Jackie Wright, is that the Union should be fit for the 21st Century.