There was a heavy sense of solemnness as a banner of pink, white and blue rose high over the front lawn of B.C.害羞草研究所檚 legislature for all of Victoria to see.
Members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community, alongside allies and MLAs, gathered in front of the legislature on Sunday (Nov. 20) to observe Transgender Day of Remembrance and hoist the transgender flag on the flagpole.
害羞草研究所淭his morning 害羞草研究所� waking up to that news 害羞草研究所� on Transgender Day of Remembrance is a very recent, raw reminder that hate kills,害羞草研究所� Grace Lore, parliamentary secretary for gender equity, said in reference to the mass shooting at a gay nightclub in Colorado Springs, Colo. on Saturday (Nov. 19) that killed five people and left 18 injured. 害羞草研究所淚t is devastating,害羞草研究所� said Lore. 害羞草研究所淎nd the loss of life, the targeted violence because of who people are is something we must stand against.害羞草研究所�
The day commemorates the lives of transgender, two-spirit and non-binary people who have lost their lives to transphobic violence. It also recognizes the struggles of those who continue to suffer mistreatment and discrimination due to their identity.
Aaron Devor, chair of transgender studies at the University of Victoria, spoke at the ceremony, emphasizing the ongoing battle many in the transgender community face and the work still needed in the province and beyond.
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害羞草研究所淎lthough some of us now are able to enjoy some privileges, most trans people live daily lives punctuated by indignities and abuses 害羞草研究所� both large and small, both aggressive and inadvertent,害羞草研究所� he said.
According to Ace Mann, secretary of the Victoria Pride Society, this year has been the deadliest on record for violence against transgender and gender non-conforming people. Mann said that up to 82 per cent of transgender and non-binary people have had suicidal thoughts, with about one in two making an attempt.
害羞草研究所淜eep in mind these statistics do not take into account the disproportionate amount of discrimination faced with intersecting identities,害羞草研究所� they said. Mann added that BIPOC, disabled and homeless transgender people are affected 害羞草研究所渋n greatest numbers yet害羞草研究所� and that up to 96 per cent of those killed in attacks motivated by hate each year identify as both Black and transgender.
While Lore acknowledged steps that the provincial government has taken to recognize transgender identity, including making it easier for B.C. residents to correct their gender marker on government-issued identification earlier this year, she said there害羞草研究所檚 still work to be done. Lore added that she害羞草研究所檚 confident David Eby, who was sworn in as B.C.害羞草研究所檚 37th premier on Nov. 18, is committed to tackling 2SLGBTQ+ issues in communities across the province.
害羞草研究所淚 know that害羞草研究所檚 something he害羞草研究所檚 committed to and I害羞草研究所檓 really looking forward to working with him on these issues going forward.害羞草研究所�
If you or someone you know needs help, please call the Trans Lifeline at 1-877-330-6366.
Do you have a story tip? Email: austin.westphal@saanichnews.com.
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