Marking Trans Remembrance Day

Today, (20th November), we’re marking Transgender Day of Remembrance. Together with our Wellbeing, Diversity & Inclusion Specialist, Anita Amurun, we have put together some important information and resources for anyone commemorating this day.

Trigger Warning // death, transphobia and racism

Yearly, trans people and their allies unite on 20th November to commemorate and honour the lives and memories of transgender people murdered in acts of transphobic violence over the last year. This annual observance is known as Transgender Day of Remembrance and was founded in 1999 by Gwendolyn Ann Smith to honour the memory of Rita Hester, a Black trans woman.

In 2021, it was reported that 375 trans people were murdered. Of those 375 lives, it was found that 1 in 4 of those people were killed in their own homes, most were Black or migrants and 96% were trans-women or trans-feminine. Unfortunately, hate-crimes and murders are often unreported and the necessary mechanisms to collect and monitor data on trans murders does not exist in numerous nations, therefore the actual figures are likely to be much higher.

Thus, Trans Day of Remembrance is an opportune moment to memorialise the tragic loss of trans people over the years, but also to recognise and challenge violence against trans people and communities.

This weekend, there are several vigils and ceremonies you can attend across the UK. Here are some below. If the list below does not include a vigil or ceremony local to you, you should be able to find one via Google.

https://www.homotopia.net/Festival%20/trans-day-of-remembrance-2022/

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/t-time-edinburgh-trans-day-of-remembrance-tickets-394315687837

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/transgender-day-of-remembrance-2022-tickets-414082731597

http://tpsw.co.uk/event/transgender-day-of-remembrance-vigil/

https://g.co/kgs/MNbyCn

https://www.fitzroviachapel.org/event/trans-day-of-remembrance/

If you would like to learn more about this topic and or the trans community or need support, please feel free to visit the links below:

https://www.stonewall.org.uk/help-advice/information-and-resources/truth-about-trans

https://www.stonewall.org.uk/about-us/news/trans-day-remembrance-what-it-and-why-it-needed

https://www.transformingfuturespartnership.co.uk/

https://mermaidsuk.org.uk/

https://www.glaad.org/sites/default/files/MTAN/More%20Than%20A%20Number%20-%20GLAAD.pdf