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On Trans Day of Remembrance, November 20, we honour those lost to violence, those who live through violence and transphobia, and recognize the need to disrupt the violence and oppression that trans people continue to face.
Trans Week of Awareness, November 13–19, is observed in the week preceding Trans Day of Remembrance to celebrate and increase collective understanding about the trans community. To symbolize UBC’s commitment to inclusion and support for 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, the trans flag will be raised at UBC Vancouver and Okanagan for the duration of this observance.
The first Transgender Day of Remembrance took place in 1999 after the murder of Rita Hester, a Black trans woman, in November of the previous year.
Trans people at UBC and in our broader communities continue to face stigma, discrimination, and violence and each year more community members die as a result of acts of transphobia.
This is a significant and important day to remember trans lives lost, to reflect on how each one of us can better support trans individuals in our communities, and to reaffirm our commitment and investment in the work that still remains to be done. The trans flags raised on both campuses will be lowered to half-mast on November 20 to mark this solemn occasion.
We acknowledge, however, that the words, reflections, and intentions on this day can not sufficiently encompass the intersections of violence and identity in people’s lives. This consideration includes particularly the disproportionate amount of violence that impacts trans women, trans feminine folk, and trans people of colour, as well as the greater complexities of violence as a whole.
Please stay tuned for additional updates. If you are aware of events or resources that would be relevant to feature on this page, please email info.events@ubc.ca for consideration.
Featured UBC events
November 13–20, 2025
Transgender flag and flag lowering
The transgender flag will be flown in place of the UBC flag from November 13-20 in observance of Transgender Awareness Week from November 13-19 and Transgender Day of Remembrance on November 20 at UBC’s Vancouver and Okanagan campuses. Additionally, the flags will be lowered on Wednesday, November 20.
November 20, 2025 | 12:30 – 2:00 pm
Remembrance & Resistance: A Teach-In for the Transgender Day of Remembrance
Trallard and OutLaws are hosting a teach-in about the history and importance of the day, followed by a short outdoor memorial starting at 1:30pm to commemorate the lives lost this year. There will also be a community art-build during the memorial, to which attendees can contribute messages of rage, grief, hope and any other feelings they experience.
UBC Okanagan events
November 21, 2025 | 10:00 am – 12:30 pm
Transgender Day of Remembrance: Healing in Art Session
This event will hold space for community care, grief and hope, through collaborative painting and solidarity with artist, Sofia Margarita Cruz.
November 25, 2025 | 1:00 – 3:30 pm
Transgender Day of Remembrance: Healing in Art Session
This event will hold space for community care, grief and hope, through collaborative painting and solidarity with artist, Sofia Margarita Cruz.
Featured community events
November 20, 2025 | 5:00 – 7:00 pm
Trans Day of Remembrance [all ages] Gathering
Join Dignity Senior Society for an all ages gathering and drop-in for 2SLGBTQIA+ community members to hold space and be together away from the public eye. Event will include live music, letter writing, drag performances and healing.
November 20, 2025 | 7:00 – 9:00 pm
Trans Day of Remembrance
Come together with Vancouver Trans March in mourning and memory of those we’ve lost, in honour of this year’s Trans Day of Remembrance. Event will include speakers, live acoustic performance and a reading of the collected names of those lost this year.
November 23, 2025 | 7:00 – 8:00 pm
Trans Day of Remembrance Vigil
Join St. Andrew’s-Wesley United Church for a special contemplative service for Trans Day of Remembrance. Featuring music from the Quayside Voices and a reflection from Rev. Lauren Kirkey, co- founder of the Saige Foodbank for the Two-Spirit, Trans and Gender diverse community. The vigil commemorates all transgender people lost to violence and lifts up those who are continuing to work for trans rights.
Resources
“I am a transgender individual. What resources are available to me?”
- Gender Diversity Knowledge Base
- The Pride Collective at UBC | LGBTQ+ Resource Center
- Trans and gender diversity
- UBC Sexual Violence Prevention and Response
- Trans Mentorship Program
- The UBC Trans & Non-Binary Student Guide
- Trans, Two-spirit, and Gender Diversity Task Force
- Trans Inclusion Support
- Queer Staff and Faculty Collective
- 2SLGBTQIA+ organizations and projects from SOGI UBC
- Supporting Transgender and Gender-Diverse Faculty and Staff at UBC
- External resources and support services for trans individuals
“I want to be an ally to Transgender People. What can I do?”
- Show Your Support as an Ally
- Gender Diversity Knowledge Base
- Positive Space Campaign
- Towards More Trans-Inclusive Classrooms: An Introduction
- Preparing Human Resources to Create a Gender-Inclusive Workplace at UBC
- Tips for Allies of Transgender People | GLAAD
Stay Connected
Online: equity.ubc.ca
Twitter: @UBCequity
Are you in a UBC department or student group planning a Transgender Day of Remembrance event?
Please connect with us to have your event considered for this page info.events@ubc.ca.