Who are transgender people, and what do we mean by "gender identities" ? What are the most widespread misconceptions, and why do they raise questions ? What are the human rights implications of the legal situation of trans* people, and in what direction is it currently evolving in Europe and in Belgium ?

From childhood, we are taught that human beings are either "girls" or "boys." In science class, we are taught that there are males and females, and that’s all. But is it really that simple ?

In conversations and in the media, we often hear about homosexuals, lesbians, gays, heterosexuals, trans* people, sexual orientations, gender identities, and so on. But what exactly do these expressions mean ?

Society perpetuates many beliefs and prejudices that reduce people who don’t conform to norms to simplistic, often pejorative and degrading stereotypes. Transgender people are particularly affected by this.

The objective of this Transgender Awareness Workshop is to raise public awareness of transgender issues in an accessible and interactive way, and to show how the social construction of gender norms and stereotypes can lead to phenomena of exclusion and discrimination.