Trans Day of Remembrance

The Trans Day of Remembrance memorializes those within trans communities who have been struck down by violence. The event is held in November to honor Rita Hester, whose murder on November 28th, 1998 kicked off the “Remembering Our Dead” web project and a San Francisco candlelight vigil in 1999. Rita Hester’s murder — like most transgender murder cases — has yet to be solved.

The Trans Day of Remembrance serves several purposes. It raises public awareness of hate crimes against transgendered people, an action that current media doesn’t perform. The Day of Remembrance publicly mourns and honors the lives of our brothers and sisters who might otherwise be forgotten. Through the vigil, we express love and respect for our people in the face of international indifference and hatred. The Day of Remembrance reminds non-transgendered people that we are their sons, daughters, parents, friends and lovers. The Day of Remembrance gives our allies a chance to step forward with us and stand in vigil, memorializing those of us who’ve died. The Day of Remembrance calls upon us to recognize the ways in which transphobia, racism, classism and sex-worker stigma are linked so that we can join together to eradicate all oppression and all hate-based violence to create a safer life for us all.

We also acknowledge this: Violence, as it has impacted our communities, is not only an intentioned act. Violence is also an act of neglect. Violence affecting our communities includes the cut to social spending and the depleting social safety net. Violence impacting trans people includes the ever decreasing pool of social services that leaves the marginalized members of society struggling on their own without affordable housing, without access to nutritious food, without access to necessary health care. This social systems needs to change.

At the Trans Day of Remembrance we gather together in the hopes that someday, by working together, we can make these changes happen. We gather as a way to gain strength and we gather as an act of resistance.

Join us for community performances, the reading of names and remembrance of those who have left us and for a moment of silence.

Host:
The 519 Church Street Community Centre
Date:
Friday, November 20, 2009
Time:
7:00pm - 9:00pm
Location:
The 519 Church Street Community Centre
Street:
519 Church Street
City/Town:
Toronto, ON