What is Trans Day of Remembrance?

July 06, 2023

Every year, Trans Awareness Week is a chance to celebrate our trans pride, and for allies to learn how to elevate the voices of our community. November 13 to 19 is a whole week of pride, celebration, education, and allyship. And then on November 20, we close out the week with Transgender Day of Remembrance.

What is Trans Day of Remembrance?

Trans Day of Remembrance occurs every year on November 20, after the last day of Trans Awareness Week. In contrast with the celebration of pride, and the excited conversations of Trans Awareness Week, Trans Day of Remembrance is a solemn occasion.

It’s a day in which the whole community honours and remembers those who have lost their lives to transphobic violence, and discrimination. It’s a chance to remember those who blazed trails before us, to whom we owe a debt of gratitude.

Why do we observe Trans Day of Remembrance?

It’s a solemn and immediate reminder of why days and weeks of significance like Trans Awareness Week or Trans Day of Visibility are so important.

96% of trans and gender diverse youth experience abuse due to transphobia from the public

90% will experience depression as a result of this abuse, compared to just 15% of the general population

Although things can feel like they’re getting better in many wonderful ways, there’s no doubt that as a society, there’s still a LOT of work to be done in order to stamp out transphobia. Ridding the world of transphobia and discrimination is a job for all of us.

How to mark Trans Day of Remembrance

Attend a Trans Day of Remembrance event or vigil in your city. These are typically solemn events, and an opportunity to reflect. Note that some Trans Day of Remembrance events are spaces for trans and gender diverse community, rather than allies – so keep that in mind when choosing one to attend.