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Trans Day of Remembrance (TDOR) is observed on November 20 to honour the memories of Two-Spirit, transgender and non-binary people whose lives have been lost in acts of anti-trans violence. TDOR was first observed in 1999 by a small group of community members to memorialize the murder of Black transgender woman Rita Hester and has been observed annually since.
TDOR is a day to collectively acknowledge the reality of oppression and precarity that trans people – particularly folks experiencing multiple intersections of marginalization such as Indigenous, Black and racialized trans femme folks – navigate in day-to-day life.
TDOR is a day to grieve. We grieve not only who we have lost but also the experiences and relationships that are not accessible to us due to our transness. We experience this grief about the actions of society, and in this grief, we identify the needs of our community and how to address those needs sustainably and collectively.
When we gather to remember those we have lost, we also gather to support each other.
While TDOR is a day to grieve, it is simultaneously a day to orient our grief toward collective action. We gather and identify the needs of the trans community and act to meet those needs. Sometimes, this looks like an introduction to local resources, political action or offering a free meal; other times, it is the simple act of sharing space in solidarity.
Trans space at U of A
The Landing is a support service for 2SLGBTQIA+ students located in the basement of SUB on North Campus. They are open for drop-in hours Monday to Thursday, noon - 4 p.m. and have a discord to join for online access. I spoke with Sef Salham, student coordinator for The Landing, about what the space means to the campus community.
Sef told me that the Landing exists to foster authenticity and resilience amongst the U of A 2SLGBTQIA+ community and functions as a hub for connection to boldly express that there is always space for queer and trans students to exist as themselves on campus.
There are many resources available at The Landing, including one-on-one support, gender transition guidance, voice training, STBBI testing (in partnership with HIV Edmonton) and weekly trans-meet-ups to foster long-term connections and provide affirming space for trans folks on campus.
Acknowledging TDOR on Campus
Regardless of whether or not you are transgender, you are welcome to attend TDOR events, provided that you attend with respectful intent.
The Landing is hosting a drop-in TDOR event on November 20 from 5 - 7 p.m. in the Orion Room, located in the basement of SUB. The event will provide space for transgender folks and allies to gather. Additionally, it will feature speakers and information on additional queer-affirming resources in Edmonton. Everyone is welcome to attend; no RSVP is necessary.
What about after?
Perhaps most importantly, you can make your allyship active year-round. TDOR is a day to identify how to best support the trans community’s continued survival.
You can actively create trans-affirming spaces by taking small actions, like sharing your pronouns in your email signature or general introductions. You can support trans-owned businesses, arts and fundraisers, and you can empower the voices of trans people around you by listening to lived experiences and responding to calls to action from the trans community.
By practicing active allyship, you can ensure that the trans people in your life feel safe, respected and affirmed while contributing to a larger culture of acceptance. We can take care of each other. Transgender Albertans deserve access to autonomy, safety and dignity in public life.