Transgender day of Remembrance 2021

Transgender Day of Remembrance is an international day held on 20 November to remember and stand in solidarity with our trans siblings whose lives have been lost due to anti-transgender hatred and violence.

It was started back in 1999 by transgender advocate Gwendolyn Ann Smith as a vigil to honour the memory of Rita Hester, as transgender woman who was killed in 1998.

This tradition has continued as a time to reflect and remember, but also to raise awareness and to show solidarity to those who are fighting to have their basic rights respected and upheld. Sadly, the list of deaths and suicides, and rates of mental illness among the trans population still increases to this day.

A vigil or gathering usually takes place locally in towns and communities to mark this day. This year, the Sheffield gathering is taking place between 1.00pm and 4.00pm at the Winter Gardens in the City Centre. If you know someone that is transgender, non-binary or gender fluid, why not offer to go along with them as a friend and ally to show your support?

What can I do?

There are many ways that each of us can be supportive and trans inclusive.

• Understanding more about the difficulties transgender and gender fluid identities face (see some of the facts below)
• “I am who is say I am” – Respecting everyone as a legitimate person. Never assume someone’s gender, and address them as they wish to be addressed. Failing to do this can invalidate someone as a person.
• Get active on pronouns
• Honouring their privacy – if someone discloses their gender identity to you, that doesn’t mean it’s OK to disclose that to others; it is their private business unless they tell you otherwise.
• Educate yourself – it isn’t our jobs to educate others, but we can educate ourselves.

Here is a useful beginners guide to being a trans ally.

Some facts

• A recent study has shown that approximately half of teenage boys have attempted suicide at least once, with 42% of non-binary teenagers, and 30% of trans girls also having at least one prior suicide attempt.
• Research by Stonewall (2017) has shown 1/8^th of trans employees have been physically attacked by a colleague or customer in the last year (this doesn’t include verbal abuse of bullying)
• 51% of trans people have their identity hidden at work for fear of discrimination.
• 28% of trans people in a relationship in the last year have faced abuse from an intimate partner.

Useful links

• SayIt, who are a local charity organisation in Sheffield that support LGBTQ+ young people.
• Mermaids supports transgender, nonbinary and gender diverse children and their families
• All about Trans a support hub of links to support organisations