Monday 20-11-2017 - 10:41

Content note: This article, or pages it links to, contains information about suicide, sexual assault and/or violence which may be upsetting to readers.

 

What is Transgender Remembrance Day?

Transgender Remembrance Day takes place on 20 November each year to honour those murdered due to transphobia, and to highlight the ongoing abuses of trans people’s rights and safety. The day was founded in 1999 by Gwendolyn Smith to remember the murder of her friend Rita Hester, and has evolved from an online campaign into a day of action.

Research conducted by Stonewall this year showed that two in five trans people (41%) have experienced a hate crime or incident because of their gender identity in the last 12 months. Additionally, nearly half (48%) of trans people under 26 said they had attempted suicide, and 30% said they had done so in the past year, while 59% said they had at least considered doing so. The facts show that transphobia kills — it is everyone’s responsibility to change this. You can find more facts and figures here, and read the report on LGBT and Transgender hate crime here.

As the National Union of Students’ Trans Officer, Jess Bradley notes in her/their guide to hosting effective, accessible and sensitive events for Trans Day of Remembrance “these deaths are not just a ‘trans issue’… they are women, non-binary, black, brown, sex workers. They also lived full lives beyond their intersecting oppressions."

 

How do we mark this occasion?

This year, to mark International Transgender Day of Remembrance, join us for a screening of Tangerine (2015) in the Main Hall. Following the revenge mission of a recently released from prison transgender sex worker who discovers her boyfriend and pimp has been cheating on her, this gritty comedy-drama explores themes of violence, drug use and exploitation.

We can all play a role in tackling transphobia, whether that be challenging prejudice or misunderstanding when we witness it or actively running campaigns for positive change. Manchester is a hub of LGBT+ activism and activity, where there is a fantastic sense of community and support — if you want to get support or find friendship as a trans person in Manchester you can use the services of the LGBT+ Foundation and get involved in their broad programme of activities including regular trans meet-ups. You can find resources for campaigning on the Action for Trans Health website too, and find out more about the issues we need to take on. You can also campaign with The Union, where you’ll receive support from our Campaigns Coordinator and can bid for funds to make your idea a reality.

 

“If all you’ve ever known of transpeople are late-night comedian jokes and fear-mongering about bathrooms, what would you think of transpeople?  Instead, let’s put an actual transperson in the room, and challenge those misconceptions.”

- from TRANS/ACTIVE: A Biography of Gwendolyn Ann Smith by Sophia Leveque (quote from Gwendolyn Ann Smith)

 

Further Information and get support:

- Hate Crime reporting: The Union Advice Centre, the Res Life reception @ Birley, Manchester Student Homes in Fallowfield

- LGBT+ Foundation

- Proud Trust  

- Action for Trans Health

- LGBT+ Foundation Trans Programme

- Key terms to learn more (pronoun awareness etc.) GLAAD ‘Transgender FAQ’