On the Trans Day of Remembrance, November 20th, PSAC commemorates the trans, two-spirit and non-binary people who have lost their lives to transphobic violence. We also honour those who continue to face violence and discrimination as they work for more just and inclusive communities.
Discrimination and isolation
While we mourn, the fight for justice for trans people continues. National data isn’t available but in Ontario we know that:
- Two-thirds of trans people have avoided public spaces or situations because they feared harassment
- 43% have attempted suicide
- 13% of trans workers have been fired for being trans, and another 15% were fired and believe it might be because they were trans
- 18% have been turned down for a job because they were trans, and another 32% suspect that this is why they were turned down
- 17% have declined a job they applied for and were offered, because of the lack of trans-positive and safe work environment
- 28% of trans workers could not get employment references with their current name or pronoun and 58% could not get academic transcripts with the correct name or sex designation
PSAC continues to fight for trans rights
Despite continued challenges, activism by the trans community and their allies is resulting in change. In June 2017, Parliament passed groundbreaking legislation adding “gender identity” and “gender expression” to prohibited grounds of discrimination under the Canadian Human Rights Act. PSAC fought hard, alongside other labour and human rights groups, to ensure the legislation passed both the House and the Senate.
In August 2017, PSAC members were central in developing ‘Support for Trans Employees: A Guide for Employees and Managers’ for Public Services and Procurement Canada, one of the largest federal government departments and the first federal institution to adopt a guide on workplace inclusion for trans people.
PSAC continues to push for critical human rights protections and benefits at the bargaining table for our trans, two-spirit and non-binary members. At our most recent national convention, union members voted overwhelmingly to advocate for gender inclusive washrooms in all workplaces and to launch major campaigns for trans rights.
Trans, two-spirit and non-binary people are our co-workers, friends, family members and neighbors. On the Trans Day of Remembrance we mourn and grieve together – and recommit to end all violence against trans people.