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Transgender Day of Remembrance at UBC

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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.

Read a statement from Dr. Arig al Shaibah, Associate Vice-President, Equity and Inclusion.


Featured UBC Vancouver events

November 17, 2023 | 2:00 pm

Painting the Cairn in honour of TDoR (Instagram)

Hosted by Gears and Queers
University of British Columbia Engineering Cairn (map)

November 20, 2023 | 5:00 pm

Trans Day of Remembrance candlelight vigil & community cooldown (Instagram)

Hosted by the Pride Collective 
Outside the Nest. Cooldown location: Resource Group Lounge


Featured UBC Okanagan events

November 20, 2023 | 10:00 am

Trans Day of Remembrance flag lowering

Organized by Equity & Inclusion Office Equity Ambassadors 
UBCO Central Courtyard at the Flag Poles 

November 21, 2023 | 12:00 pm

Queer Faculty and Staff Collective Meeting 

Hosted by the Pride Collective 
LIB 111, UBC Campus 


Featured community events

November 18, 2023 | 10:00 am

Transgender Day of Remembrance: Two-Spirit Beading (Eventbrite)

Hosted by the Museum of Vancouver  
1100 Chestnut Street, Vancouver, BC

Open to those who identify as gender non-conforming and/or Indigenous. 

November 20, 2023 | 7:00 pm

Trans Day of Remembrance Vigil 

Organized by Advocacy Canada  
Stuart Park – 1430 Water Street, Kelowna, BC 


Resources

“I am a transgender individual. What resources are available to me?”


“I want to be an ally to Transgender People. What can I do?”


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.