Trans Awareness Week & Trans Day of Remembrance

Publish Date: 03/11/2015

Trans Awareness Week (14th-20th November 2015) is fast approaching and leading up to international Trans Day of Remembrance on 20th November 2015. This time of year is an opportunity to take stock and reflect on the needs of the trans community and a somber time to remember and mourn for the members of the community we have lost around the world over the last 12 months to hate crimes motivated by transphobia. The numbers continue to grow, and disproportionately affect trans women of colour around the world, it is a time reflect on our own communities and experiences but also acknowledge other factors such as race, geographical and economic factors which contribute to the lists of names we see gathered every year.

In the UK over the last twelve months we have seen the trans equality enquiry take place with hundreds of groups and individuals submitting information and evidence to the Women and Equalities Committee. As the oral evidence sessions draw to a close, there is a sense of anticipation as to what is next for trans rights in this country. Research is being compiled at a local and national level on the needs of trans communities at a scale never seen before, The findings will undoubtedly come with the pressure of responsibility to bring about meaningful and substantial chances for trans people at every point of life. We will continue to remember and continue to push for an end to transphobia once and for all.

Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDoR) was set aside to draw attention to and remember those who were killed due to anti-transgender hatred or prejudice. The event is held in November to honor Rita Hester, whose murder on 28th November 1998 led to the first event of its kind in San Francisco in 1999. Rita Hester’s murder, like most anti-transgender murder cases, is yet to be solved.

 

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