This Friday, Nov. 20, 2020 is the 21st annual International Transgender Day of Remembrance. This day memorializes those whose lives were lost in acts of anti-transgender violence and it encourages awareness of the continued violence endured by transgender people.
"Transgender Day of Remembrance seeks to highlight the losses we face due to anti-transgender bigotry and violence,” said Gwendolyn Ann Smith, founder of the event. “I am no stranger to the need to fight for our rights, and the right to simply exist is first and foremost. With so many seeking to erase transgender people – sometimes in the most brutal ways possible – it is vitally important that those we lose are remembered, and that we continue to fight for justice."
Transgender Day of Remembrance was first held in 1999 as a vigil to honour the memory of Rita Hester, a transgender woman who was killed in Allston, Massachusetts, in 1998. Observed in over 185 cities in more than 20 countries, Transgender Day of Remembrance usually includes candlelit vigils, reading the names of those who lost their lives due to anti-transgender violence, marches, church services, food drives, art shows, and film screenings. On Dec. 12, 2017, the Ontario provincial government unanimously passed the Trans Day of Remembrance Act, officially recognizing TDOR and requiring the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to hold a minute of silence every year on Nov. 20.
We encourage you to take a moment of silence today to respect those who lost their lives due to anti-transgender hate.
How can you observe Transgender Day of Remembrance?
- Hold a moment of silence or light a candle. Recognizing anti-transgender violence and its harmful impact on our community is meaningful. Acknowledging the struggle transgender people face is supportive, no matter how big or small the act of acknowledgement.
- Check out GLAAD’s tips on how to be an ally of transgender people: https://www.glaad.org/transgender/allies
- Check out Queer Event’s article on the history of Transgender Day of Remembrance: http://www.queerevents.ca/queer-corner/blog/history/tdor-history
- Watch the film Disclosure (2020) directed by Sam Feder. Disclosure is documentary available on Netflix that discusses the negative portrayals of transgender people, especially trans-women, in movies and TV.
- If you are able, consider donating to Trans Lifeline. They are a non-profit organization that works to support transgender people in Canada and the United States for financial, emotional, and crisis supports.
We understand that the Transgender Day of Remembrance is a sensitive and emotional day. Discussions about hate crimes and violence against transgender people may be upsetting to some individuals.
Students seeking support are encouraged to contact Mary Kallberg, the Senior Manager of Learning Support and Disability Resources. She is available Monday to Friday, from 8 AM to 4PM, by phone at 604-528-5884 or 1-877-275-4331, or by email at studentresources@jibc.ca.
Additionally, the B.C. Crisis Line is available 24/7 by phone at 1-800-784-2433. The Trans Lifeline is available in Canada at 1-877-330-6366.
Thank you for joining JIBC in solidarity and action.