This day honours those who have lost their lives by murder or suicide, as a result of transphobia – the hatred or fear of transgender and gender non-conforming persons. Although not every victim may have self-identified as transgender, that is, as a transsexual or otherwise gender-variant, each was a victim based on a bias against members of this group.
Ceremonies held worldwide strive to increase awareness of hate crimes perpetrated against the transgender community and honour those that aren’t with us any longer. Often culminating in the reading of victim’s names at a candlelight vigil. I encourage those of you who have never observed such a ceremony to participate in an event in your community so that you may remember the victims of this injustice.
Through such participation we can express respect in the face of hatred and indifference and show our solidarity with those persons who do not conform to societal expectations.
PSAC Ontario Council GLBT Members Representative