November 20 is the International Trans Day of Remembrance (TDOR). It is a day for trans people and their loved ones to mourn and memorialize all of the trans people who have been murdered in the past year.
It is a somber and private affair. Community members tend to stick together in observance of TDOR and it is unusual to see it reported in mainstream media. Nevertheless, this does not lessen the significance or impact of this day. Communities come together for TDOR in solidarity, to support, and to hope that someday things will be different. Cis-people with no real connection to the trans community may feel that they would not get much out of Trans Day of Remembrance.
But maybe they are wrong.
This year's list of victims has 79 names (so far). It is sad, but not surprising, that most of the victims lived in poverty.
The union's purpose is to represent all of its members equitably. Not only to ensure their employment rights are protected, but also to enforce the Ontario Human Rights Code (OHRC). This includes trans people at all stages of their journey. It is more than just those who have already transitioned, but also many who struggle in silence. It is almost certain that some of you work right next to trans people without even knowing it. And they are suffering.
Many trans people are too scared to come out, to self-identify as who they are. Fear of losing employment is a major concern that many trans people face in the workplace. Trans PULSE findings show that while 71% of trans people have at least some college or university education, about half make less than $15,000 per year. About two thirds avoid public spaces, including medical care, for fear of abuse. Trans people do not just fear losing their jobs. Every single one is also aware that they could end up being one of the people whose name appears on that list. It is just the reality of the world in which we all live.
Supports need to be in place for trans employees in the workplace. When they come out, they run up against prejudice and discrimination. But it is not enough to stand with, and defend a trans employee after they complain of mistreatment based on their gender identity and/or gender expression. We need to step it up and look for opportunities to create safer spaces at work. This means learning what is wrong and challenging it.
Nasty drag jokes, making fun of trans celebrities or inaccurate news stories only derail any progress that may have been achieved. Generic homophobia affects them too because those jokes are based on the same gender stereotype nonsense.
We ask you, in all your workplaces to speak out against this mistreatment. By choosing to be one of the people who say "knock it off," and "hey, not cool," and "yeah that's not funny guys," you are not only doing your part to help save lives, but you have the chance to truthfully say "I support you."
Note:
Trans is an umbrella term for transgender and refers to people who feel that their gender (male or female) is not aligned with the body they had at birth.
Cis, or cisgender refers to everyone who is not trans.
Statistics collected from the Ontario TransPULSE studies: http://transpulseproject.ca/