Post written by Atreya Madrone, Gender and Sexual Diversity Working Group Member at RRC Polytech.

Please note that the following content includes discussions of transphobic violence and may bring up strong emotions for those with lived experience. It is recommended that you read the following when you feel safe and supported.

Transgender Day of Remembrance is observed annually as a day for people to come together to bring awareness to transphobic violence and to honour those whose lives were taken because of transphobic violence. It began in November 1999 when Gwendolyn Ann Smith was with other transgender people in her community, remembering Rita Hester, a trans woman who was murdered one year prior, and Chanelle Picket, a trans woman who was murdered in November 1996. From this night, Smith and her trans community members came together and held the first Transgender Day of Remembrance on November 20.

One trans person’s death by transphobic violence is one too many. Yet, in 2023 alone, the Trans Murder Monitoring Report (2023) found that globally:

• 321 transgender people were reported murdered.
• 94% of these people were trans women or trans-feminine.
• For cases with age data available, 77% of people murdered were between 19-40 years old.
• Racialized transgender people accounted for 80% of the reported murders.

On Turtle Island, specifically the area now known as Canada, the 2018 Survey of Safety in Public and Private Spaces (SSPPS) reported that:

• 59% of transgender people have been physically or sexually assaulted at least once since the age of 15, compared to 37% of cisgender people.
• 58% of transgender people experienced unwanted sexual behavior in public in 2017, compared to 23% of cisgender people.
• 65% of transgender people reported fair or poor mental health, compared to 11% of cisgender people.

While being trans is a source of joy and celebration, transphobia remains a significant issue, deeply affecting the lives of transgender and gender nonconforming individuals worldwide. Transgender Day of Remembrance is not only a day of reflection, but also a call to action for cisgender people to commit themselves to ending transphobia in all its forms.

To the fellow trans people reading this, if you are struggling today, you can find immediate support by calling:

• The Klinic Crisis Line at (204)-768-8686
• Trans Lifeline at (877)-330-6366

Transgender Day of Remembrance Vigil

Join us as we recognize Transgender Day of Remembrance. We will hold a moment of silence followed by donuts and time to decorate or sign cut-out candles that will be hung in the Spectrum at NDC.

• NDC
  • When: Wednesday, November 20th, 12-1 p.m.
  • Where: The Spectrum, FM66
• EDC
  • When: Thursday, November 21st, 12-1 p.m.
  • Where: The John and Bonnie Buhler Library, P214A

Let us honour the lives lost and work together towards a more inclusive and supportive environment for all.