Transgender Day of Remembrance

The culmination of Transgender Awareness Week is Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDoR), which, on each November 20 since 1999, has been a day of observance meant to remember those whose lives were lost to anti-trans violence and transphobia. It is vital to acknowledge that the impacts of anti-trans violence and transphobia, combined with sexism, poverty, racism, and colonialism, continues to disproportionately impact racialized trans, Two-Spirit and non-binary people – especially trans women of colour.

A growing visibility of our communities has seen a concurrent and observable rise in misinformation about trans, Two-Spirit and non-binary (TTNB) people and gender-affirming care, which has impacted the degree to which anti-trans backlash is experienced. Racialized TTNB people and trans-feminine people continue to face the brunt of both interpersonal and ongoing systemic violence and discrimination emboldened by this backlash. Better understanding topics related to gender-diversity and gender-affirming care, as well as how to recognize and address misinformation, are important steps toward fostering safer, more inclusive communities where everyone can thrive. We encourage you to visit We Are Allies to learn more.

As this can be a particularly difficult time of year for many, we encourage people to make time for the practices that help them stay resilient. For some, this may be connecting with friends and loved ones, expressing yourself creatively, honouring your spirituality, or other activities that help you feel good and affirmed. Peer-led community programs that work to create spaces where TTNB people can connect and access supports are available in many communities across B.C., as well as online. To learn more about peer support groups that may be a resource for you, please visit our online peer support directory.