Each year on November 20, Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR) invites communities to honour transgender, nonbinary, Two-Spirit, and gender-diverse people whose lives have been lost to anti-trans violence. Originating in 1999 as a vigil to remember Rita Hester, a Black transgender woman who was murdered, TDOR has grown into an international day of reflection, mourning, and commitment to change.

Across Canada and globally, trans communities continue to face disproportionate levels of discrimination, stigma, and violence, with even higher levels reported among racialized trans and gender-diverse people (Trans PULSE Canada Team, 2019). This highlights the need to take immediate action to support trans and gender-diverse people, and to dismantle systems of oppression that perpetuate anti-trans violence. 

At Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre, the EDI Steering Committee is committed to developing inclusive policies and practices that uphold safety, dignity, and belonging for all our patients, families, staff, professional staff, learners, and volunteers, including members of the 2SLGBTQQIA+ community.  

To observe Transgender Day of Remembrance, Thunder Pride will be hosting a candlelit vigil this evening, 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church. All are welcome to attend. Details can be found here: https://yourthunderbay.ca/event/trans-day-of-remembrance-vigil/

To learn more about Transgender Day of Remembrance, please go to: https://equity.mcmaster.ca/2024-transgender-day-of-remembrance-tdor/

You can read about the Trans Pulse Project here: https://transpulsecanada.ca/results/report-health-and-well-being-among-racialized-trans-and-non-binary-people-in-canada/