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Transgender Day of Remembrance

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Transgender Day of Remembrance

Annually on November 20th, Hamilton Wentworth District School Board, stands in solidarity with Two Spirit, transgender, non-binary, and gender diverse students, families, staff members and local communities, to commemorate International Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR).

TDOR is a day to remember transgender people and those perceived to be transgender, who have been targeted by anti-transgender violence and killed. The tragic and violent events surrounding the deaths of transgender people often go unreported or remain unsolved cases without active investigation. The event is held in November to honor Rita Hester, whose murder on November 28th, 1998, prompted the first candlelight vigil in 1999. Rita Hester’s murder — like most anti-transgender murder cases — has yet to be solved. It is a day to mourn or stand vigil for all of those who have died from transphobic hatred and violence.

“Transgender Day of Remembrance seeks to highlight the losses we face due to anti-transgender bigotry and violence. I am no stranger to the need to fight for our rights, and the right to simply exist is first and foremost. With so many seeking to erase transgender people — sometimes in the most brutal ways possible — it is vitally important that those we lose are remembered, and that we continue to fight for justice.” – Transgender Day of Remembrance founder Gwendolyn Ann Smith

TDOR also serves as a day to remind all people that transgender people and voices will not be silenced or forgotten. Gender identity and expression are important to well-being and are often factors in targeted harassment and discrimination in our schools and communities. We can all foster student and staff well-being – and the positive outcomes this brings – by confronting hatred and transphobic violence when we know about it, hear it, or see it happening.

At HWDSB, we are committed to human rights and equity. We continue to work toward creating safer, supportive, and more inclusive environments for all our students, staff, and families through education and awareness. We reflect on this commitment as we join the international community today in commemorating International Transgender Day of Remembrance by raising the Transgender Flag at the Education Centre.

Thank you for making our schools safe places for everyone. Let’s remember: #TDOR #STOPtheVIOLENCE #TRANSRightsAreHumanRights.

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Updated on Friday, November 19, 2021.
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