Violence and oppression have escalated globally, but this November 20th, we reflect, mourn, and recommit to fighting for a world that values and protects trans lives.
November 20th is not just a date—it’s a reckoning. Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDoR) forces us to confront the unvarnished truth: trans and gender-diverse people are still disproportionately targeted by violence, their lives stolen in a world that too often looks away. This year, with over 300 reported murders worldwide (and likely far, far more uncounted, undocumented, or unreported), TDoR feels heavier than ever. But it’s not just a day to mourn. It’s a reminder that honouring trans lives means amplifying the fight for survival, joy, and liberation. Mourning is where we start, not where we stop.
Gwendolyn Ann Smith founded TDoR in 1999, mourning the brutal murder of Rita Hester, a Black trans woman in Boston. But more than two decades later, we’re still grappling with an epidemic of violence against trans people, fuelled by systemic oppression, cultural stigma, and increasingly hostile political climates.
2024 has been a particularly grim year for trans rights. Across Canada, the United States, and beyond, hate-filled rhetoric has gone mainstream: In Canada, the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) has warned that the ‘anti-gender movement’ poses a threat of ‘extreme violence’ against the 2SLGBTQI+ community.1 Additionally, anti-transgender movements are ‘picking up steam’ in Canada, according to activists.2 In the United States, anti-transgender rhetoric has been tracked online, offline, and in legislative chambers, highlighting its pervasive nature. 3
This surge in anti-trans rhetoric has led to the introduction and enactment of legislation targeting transgender people, especially youth, using language mirroring that found online. 4
These developments underscore the growing mainstream acceptance of hate-filled rhetoric against transgender individuals in North America and beyond. In Canada, public debates over trans inclusion in schools and sports have poured gasoline on transphobia. Meanwhile, anti-trans bills in the U.S. are breaking records, with over 500 pieces of legislation introduced this year alone, many targeting trans youth.
Globally, transphobia knows no borders. Brazil continues to lead the world in reported trans murders. Uganda has passed sweeping laws criminalising LGBTQ+ existence outright. And in places like Poland, Hungary, and the United Kingdom, trans rights have been eroded under the guise of “protecting women and children.” It’s clear that we must reframe our focus as a community: TDoR isn’t just a day of remembrance—it’s a global call to action.
The Names Behind the Numbers
The annual lists of names read at TDoR vigils are overwhelmingly soul-crushing: a catalogue of lives tragically, cruelly cut short by hate. But let’s not forget—they’re also people with names, stories, dreams, favourite colours, and communities who loved them.
- Cashay Henderson, a 31-year-old Black trans woman in Milwaukee, was fatally shot earlier this year. She was known for her vibrant personality and resilience in the face of adversity, but her life ended in the kind of violence that is all too common for Black trans women in North America.
- Alejandra Monocuco, a trans activist in Bogotá, Colombia, was murdered in January. Alejandra worked tirelessly to create safe spaces for trans people in a country where such spaces are rare.
- Camila Roberta Díaz Córdova, a Salvadoran trans woman, fled her home country seeking asylum in the United States after enduring years of violence. Her deportation back to El Salvador sealed her fate at the deadly, deadly intersection of xenophobia and transphobia.
These are just a few of the stories that demand to be heard. TDoR compels us to remember not only their deaths but also their lives—their humanity, their potential, their light.
This TDoR arrives at a moment of intensifying attacks on trans existence. In Canada, trans people face barriers to healthcare access, housing, and employment5 6 7 8. Despite some progress, including provincial gender-affirming care programs, systemic inequities remain, especially for Black, Indigenous, and racialised trans folks.
In the U.S., the legislative onslaught continues unabated. Gender-affirming care bans for youth have swept across Republican-led states, while drag bans and bathroom bills have weaponised trans visibility itself. Meanwhile, social media platforms remain a breeding ground for violent rhetoric, emboldening extremists.9 10
This TDoR arrives at a moment of intensifying attacks on trans existence. In Canada, trans people face barriers to healthcare access, housing, and employment. Despite some progress, including provincial gender-affirming care programs, systemic inequities remain, especially for Black, Indigenous, and racialised trans folks.
In the U.S., the legislative onslaught continues unabated. Gender-affirming care bans for youth have swept across Republican-led states, while drag bans and bathroom bills have weaponised trans visibility itself. Meanwhile, social media platforms remain a breeding ground for violent rhetoric, emboldening extremists.
On a global scale, countries like Brazil, Uganda, and Poland offer chilling reminders of how anti-trans rhetoric leads to real-world harm. Transphobia isn’t an abstract idea—it’s policy, and it kills.
Honouring trans lives on TDoR requires us to move beyond mourning into action. Here’s how we can start:
- Support Trans-Led Organisations: Donate to groups like Trans Lifeline, The Okra Project, and Canada’s Egale, which provide critical resources, advocacy, and support.
- Push Back Against Anti-Trans Legislation: Stay informed about harmful policies and make noise—write to MPs, Congressmen, and Senators, show up to protests, and demand better from elected officials. It’s not enough to shake our heads at the news.
- Centre Intersectionality: Transphobia intersects with racism, ableism, and classism, with Black, Indigenous, and racialised trans women most often bearing the brunt of violence. Effective activism must prioritise those most impacted.
- Celebrate Trans Joy: Visibility matters—but it needs to go beyond trauma. Share and support trans art, music, and culture. Celebrate trans joy as resistance.
- Educate Yourself: Take the time to learn about the systemic issues trans people face—from healthcare barriers to employment discrimination. Listening with empathy and an intent to understand is activism.
Trans Resistance Through Joy
Even in the face of adversity, trans communities continue to carve out spaces of joy, love, and celebration. From local initiatives like queer art festivals to the global success of trans artists, filmmakers, and activists, trans joy is an act of defiance.
Here in Canada, creators like Vivek Shraya (I’m Afraid of Men) and Theo Cuthand (Woman Dress) are using their platforms to challenge narratives and celebrate trans identities. These cultural contributions remind us that trans lives are about more than survival—they’re about thriving.
As candles flicker at TDoR vigils this November 20th, let’s remember that honouring trans lives doesn’t end at remembrance. It’s a call to fight for a world where trans people can live freely, safely, and joyfully. It’s about committing to the work required to dismantle systems of oppression—and building something better in their place.
Because trans lives aren’t just worth remembering—they’re worth fighting for.
Support Links:
- https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/csis-lgbtq-warning-violence-1.7114801 ↩︎
- https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/trans-rights-canada-1.7044149 ↩︎
- https://www.adl.org/resources/report/tracking-anti-transgender-rhetoric-online-offline-and-our-legislative-chambers ↩︎
- Ibid. ↩︎
- https://egale.ca/egale-in-action/employment-equity-act-dec11/ ↩︎
- https://www.cmajopen.ca/content/9/4/E1213 ↩︎
- https://transpulsecanada.ca/results/responsive-report-housing-barriers-among-trans-and-non-binary-adults-in-canada/ ↩︎
- https://transpulseproject.ca/research/workplace-discrimination-and-employment-challenges-for-trans-people-in-ontario/ ↩︎
- https://www.gao.gov/blog/online-extremism-growing-problem-whats-being-done-about-it ↩︎
- https://www.americanbar.org/groups/public_interest/election_law/american-democracy/our-work/democracy-database/social-media-political-extremism/ ↩︎