Trans Day of Remembrance
November 20th
What is Trans Day of Remembrance (TDoR)?
"Transgender Day of Remembrance seeks to highlight the losses we face due to anti-transgender bigotry and violence. 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."
- TDoR founder Gwendolyn Ann Smith
Trans Day of Remembrance began in 1999 as a candlelight vigil held in the Castro district of San Francisco. It was held in honour of Rita Hester, a Black Trans Woman, who was murdered on November 28th 1998. We continue to observe it today to commemorate and collectively mourn the loss of all Two-Spirit, Transgender, and Non-Binary people who have lost their lives to transphobic violence; the majority of which is faced by Indigenous, Black, & Latinx communities. Through this vigil we express love and respect for our Trans kin in the face of systematic indifference and hatred.
Last year was the deadliest year on record; there were 375 reports of trans people being murdered across the world – and those are only the deaths we know about. The vast majority of victims were trans women. Most were Black, Indigenous or racialized. Many were killed in their jobs as sex workers.
Transgender people, and particularly transgender women of colour, are disproportionately affected by hate violence. Sadly, the tragedy of these incidents is often compounded by reporting that does not respect (or even exploits and sensationalizes) the victim's gender identity.
"Transgender Day of Remembrance seeks to highlight the losses we face due to anti-transgender bigotry and violence. 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."
- TDoR founder Gwendolyn Ann Smith
Trans Day of Remembrance began in 1999 as a candlelight vigil held in the Castro district of San Francisco. It was held in honour of Rita Hester, a Black Trans Woman, who was murdered on November 28th 1998. We continue to observe it today to commemorate and collectively mourn the loss of all Two-Spirit, Transgender, and Non-Binary people who have lost their lives to transphobic violence; the majority of which is faced by Indigenous, Black, & Latinx communities. Through this vigil we express love and respect for our Trans kin in the face of systematic indifference and hatred.
Last year was the deadliest year on record; there were 375 reports of trans people being murdered across the world – and those are only the deaths we know about. The vast majority of victims were trans women. Most were Black, Indigenous or racialized. Many were killed in their jobs as sex workers.
Transgender people, and particularly transgender women of colour, are disproportionately affected by hate violence. Sadly, the tragedy of these incidents is often compounded by reporting that does not respect (or even exploits and sensationalizes) the victim's gender identity.
Sunday, November 20th, @ 1:30pm - 3:30pm
Queer Yukon - #10 4230 4 Ave & Baxter St, Whitehorse
Queer Yukon - #10 4230 4 Ave & Baxter St, Whitehorse
We are holding a vigil in memory and honour of our Two-Spirit, Trans, and Non-Binary kin who are no longer with us. Light a lantern, leave an offering, or add to our Wall of Remembrance.
The Wall of Remembrance will be a lasting installation at Queer Yukon and will be shared at our offices in Watson Lake & Dawson. You may leave a message, add a name, draw, or pin something to the wall. For those of us who don't live in Whitehorse, or can't make it in person, please submit what you would like to add by emailing: mira@queeeryukon.com We will make sure it is placed with care.
Candles/lanterns, hot drinks, and soup (vegetarian & meat stew) will be provided.
The Wall of Remembrance will be a lasting installation at Queer Yukon and will be shared at our offices in Watson Lake & Dawson. You may leave a message, add a name, draw, or pin something to the wall. For those of us who don't live in Whitehorse, or can't make it in person, please submit what you would like to add by emailing: mira@queeeryukon.com We will make sure it is placed with care.
Candles/lanterns, hot drinks, and soup (vegetarian & meat stew) will be provided.
We recognize that Trans Day of Remembrance can be a difficult time for many people. We encourage you to use the following resources if you need support at this time:
- CMHA Yukon Reach Out Support Line (operates from 2-10PM daily): 1-844-533-3030
- Kids Help Phone (Online or phone help line for youth and young adults): kidshelpphone.ca/
- If you’d like to learn more about Trans History we suggest looking into the https://www.digitaltransgenderarchive.net/ which hosts a myriad of historical documents from around the world, accessible for free.
- GLAAD also hosts a brief explanation of the day and provides international resource & organizational links: https://www.glaad.org/tdor
Trans awareness week - November 13 to 19
What is Transgender Awareness Week?
Transgender Awareness Week is a week when transgender people and their allies take action to bring attention to the community by educating the public about who transgender people are, sharing stories and experiences, and advancing advocacy around the issues of prejudice, discrimination, and violence that affect the transgender community.
We will be sharing and posting all throughout the week so make sure to follow along on our social media channels!
Transgender Awareness Week is a week when transgender people and their allies take action to bring attention to the community by educating the public about who transgender people are, sharing stories and experiences, and advancing advocacy around the issues of prejudice, discrimination, and violence that affect the transgender community.
We will be sharing and posting all throughout the week so make sure to follow along on our social media channels!