Thursday 15-11-2018 - 10:43

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

We are looking for transgender students to contribute stories for Transgender Day of Remembrance, but why do we commemorate TDOR?

Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR) is on the 20th November to honour those murdered due to transphobia and to highlight the ongoing abuses. Founded in 1999 by Gwendolyn Smith to remember the murder of her friend Rita Hester, it has evolved from an online campaign into a day of action. It is now observed in over 185 cities across 20 countries.

TDOR remains important today. According to Stonewall’s University Report, 20% of transgender students were encouraged by university staff to hide or disguise the fact that they are transgender and 7% of transgender students have been physically attacked by another student or member of University staff in the last year.

Transgender people remain victims of transphobic and transmisogynstic violence and the threat of violence has a direct impact on transgender people’s sense of self and wellbeing. We see it as everyone’s responsibility to make a change to this.

How can you get involved?

This year, St Peter’s House – the University’s chaplaincy service – are holding a service that will be quiet space for reflection, a space to share experiences and to mourn those we have lost. You can find out more about their event here.

St Peter’s House are looking for transgender students to take part and contribute stories, poems and experiences to the group. It will be very casual and relaxed space and there is the opportunity to pre-record it or delivered anonymously if you prefer.

If you’re interested in taking part, send me an email at s.u.wellbeing@mmu.ac.uk

Andy Harmon (he/him)
Wellbeing Officer