Transgender Day of Remembrance

-- Rylan Mascarenhas, Work Study Student

Annually, on November 20, we honour the lives lost to anti-transgender violence worldwide. In 1999, activist Gwendoline Anne Smith pioneered the observance of Transgender Day of Remembrance, in the form of a vigil to honour the life of transgender woman Rita Hester who was killed in 1998. Rita Hester’s vigil served as a commemoration of the lives of all transgender people who lost their lives to anti-transgender violence before and continues to serve as a commemoration of all those who continue to be lost every year.

This year we have seen a rise in hateful rhetoric in Canada, including hate groups across the country protesting against gender-affirming care and 2SLGBTQIA+ rights. In the face of such hate, the significance of TDOR is ever more relevant. In addition to commemorating the lives we have lost to anti-transgender violence, we continue to fight for our rights worldwide and to end hate and violence against all transgender and 2SLGBTQIA+ people.

Support Resources

If you or someone you know needs support, here is a list of resources to reach out to:

2SLGBTQIA+ support group

https://www.kings.uwo.ca/about-kings/visitor-info/calendar-of-events/learn-and-turn/

2SLGBTQIA+ career supports

https://www.kings.uwo.ca/current-students/student-affairs/career-connect/look-for-employment/lgbtq2s-students/

Allyship Network USC

https://www.facebook.com/AllyshipNetworkUSC/

Western Pride

https://www.uwo.ca https://www.uwo.ca/faculty_staff/pride.html/health//wellness-equity-education/gender-sexual-diversity.html

Intersex London

https://www.queerevents.ca/community-resources/community-groups/intersex-london