Since 1999, Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDoR) has been held globally on November 20 to honor transgender lives lost to violence and hate. This solemn occasion often concludes Transgender Awareness Week, which runs from November 13 to 20.
This year, the University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC) will observe TDoR as part of Inspiring Women Among Us’s (IWAU) week-long series of workshops and speakers. IWAU, in collaboration with the Northern Pride Centre, will host a ceremony on Wednesday, November 20, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., followed by a brunch. The exact location will be announced on their website, iwau.ca, and shared on social media.
Transgender and gender-diverse individuals are those who live as a different gender than the one assigned to them at birth. Unfortunately, they experience disproportionately high rates of violence and suicide attempts compared to their cisgender (non-transgender) peers. According to Marci Ien, Canada’s Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth, 70% of trans youth have faced sexual harassment or assault. A study by the Canadian Centre for Justice and Community Safety Statistics further highlights that trans teens and adults experience more violence than their cisgender counterparts.
This year’s TDoR is particularly significant for Canadians due to a rise in anti-trans legislation targeting youth over the past two years. Provinces like Saskatchewan and New Brunswick have enacted laws restricting the use of transgender students’ chosen names and pronouns. In some instances, these laws mandate that teachers inform parents if a child is transgender and require transgender students to consult with a psychologist or social worker. Alberta’s provincial government is also expected to introduce similar legislation this fall. A study published in Nature Human Behaviour indicates that such policies significantly increase the risk of suicide among transgender youth.
Hostility towards transgender individuals isn’t confined to legislation. In June 2023, a former student attacked a gender studies class at the University of Waterloo, stabbing two students and a professor. The assailant has since pleaded guilty to charges related to the attack.
Small acts of support can make a significant difference. Using a transgender person’s chosen name, for example, can reduce the risk of suicide, as reported by Reuters. To foster a more inclusive environment, IWAU is hosting a “Lunch & Learn” event titled “Allies Supporting Queer Friendly Spaces—An Introductory Conversation” on Friday, November 15, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in the Bentley Centre, room 7-172 at UNBC.
Students seeking a 2SLGBTQIA+ safe space on campus are welcome at the Northern Pride Centre located in room 6-344 of the NUSC building. The Centre offers comfortable seating areas, a library with a wide range of fiction and non-fiction books, and resources about the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.
If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts, help is available. Call 9-8-8 to connect with a 24/7 national crisis hotline. Trans Lifeline also offers support at 877-330-6366 for trans, gender-diverse, and questioning individuals.
