Transgender Day of Remembrance
This week, we’re going to recognize Transgender Day of Remembrance, which is November 20th. This day of remembrance was started in 1999 by a transgender advocate named Gwendolyn Ann Smith, in memory of a transgender woman named Rita Hester who was killed in 1998. Today, it has evolved into a worldwide day to gather in vigils, create community, remember those lost to violence, and provide an opportunity for others to recognize the discrimination faced by transgender people.
Transgender people are at higher risk of experiencing violence, with some reports (https://williamsinstitute.law.ucla.edu/press/ncvs-trans-press-release/) citing that unfortunately, they are over four times more likely to experience more violent crime than cisgender (a term used to describe a person whose gender identity corresponds to their sex assigned at birth) individuals. This violence can span from property damage to being murdered for living their authentic lives. According to the Human Rights Campaign, at least 41 transgender or gender non-confirming people were shot or killed through violent means during 2022 (they use the terminology “at least” because often stories go unreported, or people are at different stages of coming out). A study based on the US population (http://www.transpop.org/) found that 81% of transgender adults had thought about suicide, 42% of transgender adults had attempted suicide, and 56% had engaged in non-suicidal self-injury. Transgender people are also more likely to engage in high-risk drinking or drug use. To compare these experiences to cisgendered (or cis) people, transgender people are seven times more likely to consider suicide, four times more likely to attempt suicide, and eight times more likely to engage in non-suicidal self-injury.
Everyone deserves to live their lives in a safe, secure, and authentic way.
There are some resources to access:
GLAD has an excellent list of ways to be an ally (https://glaad.org/transgender/allies/)
PFLAG also has resources, and pieces of training, and there are often local PFLAG chapters which may also hold vigils or marches (https://straightforequality.org/topic/trans-non-binary/)
Chew Project - https://chewprojectyeg.org/new-folder-1
If you are local to Calgary/Alberta, Skipping Stone Foundation has many resources for transgender people at different points in their journey, as well as for businesses or professionals who want to learn how to be a safe, affirming space (https://www.skippingstone.ca/)
If you or someone you know is transgender and is struggling, visit https://translifeline.org/ - they provide trans peer support and connection or reach out to us at Center Street Psychology if you would like a safe person to connect with.
Written by: Lindsay Mcnena
