U of L honours Trans Day of Remembrance

November 20th is proclaimed Transgender Day of Remembrance. It was started back in 1999 to honour the memory of Rita Hester, a transgender woman who was killed in 1998.

The University of Lethbridge is holding its own event until 7p.m. tonight in the Markin Hall atrium. 

Ellie Saunders is one of the organizers who says, “it’s now more than ever that we need to be acknowledging and respecting trans and gender non-conforming individuals and making sure they have safe spaces. A lot of people who have been lost this past year is due to violence or suicide.”

The event tonight includes a vigil with homemade paper candles, speakers, personal stories and reflection.

Meanwhile, NDP MPs are calling on the federal government to do more to protect trans children and adults in the trans community.

British Columbia MP Randall Garrison says there have been 321 trans and gender diverse people who have been murdered around the world over the past year including at least one Canadian. Although Saunders says that number is closer to seven.

Garrison says the amount of hate against the trans community continues to climb.