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Transgender Day of Remembrance

Five candles in pink, blue, and white, representing the transgender flag. Text below reads: Transgender Day of Remembrance, November 20, on a black background.

Today, on Transgender Day of Remembrance, we honour and remember all the transgender people whose lives were taken by violence, racism, colonialism, and discrimination. We hold close in our hearts those who were also people with disabilities.

Their lives and identities mattered, and they deserved safety, respect, and the right to live as their true selves. At SelfAdvocateNet, we offer our thoughts and prayers to all who have been lost. No one should ever face harm or judgment for being different. Everyone deserves a life free from violence, hate, and disrespect. We stand for inclusion, dignity, and the right of every person to live their own life safely and proudly.

The Theme of this year is  we will come together not only to remember those lost to anti-trans violence, but also—for the first time—to lift up the names of our siblings who died by suicide
Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDoR)

in Canada is observed annually on November 20 to honour the memory of transgender, Two-Spirit, and non-binary individuals whose lives were lost to anti-transgender violence

Significance in Canada

The day, founded in 1999 by trans advocate Gwendolyn Ann Smith to memorialize the murder of Rita Hester in Boston, serves as both a solemn time of mourning and a call to action against ongoing systemic discrimination and violence. In Canada, this observance highlights the disproportionate rates of violence and discrimination faced by trans and gender-diverse people, especially when combined with racism, sexism, and colonialism. 
What Transgender 
isan umbrella term for people whose gender identity differs from the sex they were assigned at birth. Gender identity is an internal sense of self, while gender expression is how a person outwardly presents their gender, such as through clothing, hairstyles, or voice. A transgender person can be a man, woman, or identify as non-binary, which may include blending aspects of different genders or identifying as neither. 
  • Gender identity: A person’s inner sense of being male, female, both, or neither.
  • Gender expression: The way a person externally communicates their gender identity through their behavior, clothing, voice, and body characteristics.
  • Sex assigned at birth: This is typically based on a person’s external anatomy at birth.
  • Cisgender: This term is used for people whose gender identity aligns with the sex they were assigned at birth. 
Some transgender people may experience gender dysphoria, which is a medical term for the psychological distress that can occur when there is a mismatch between their gender identity and their sex assigned at birth. Transitioning can be a process that involves social, legal, or medical steps, but it is different for every individual. 

Tips for Helping Transgender People

  1. Listen & Validate

    • Give them space to talk about their identity without judgment.

    • Use their correct name and pronouns — this can make a huge difference.

  2. Be an Ally

    • Learn about transgender issues (terminology, challenges, needs).

    • Speak up when you see discrimination or transphobia.

    • Support safer, inclusive spaces (schools, workplaces, community).

  3. Help Find Mental Health Support

    • Encourage them to speak to a counsellor or therapist, ideally someone who is “trans-competent” or experienced with gender-diverse clients.

    • Offer to help them look for a provider, or go with them if they want support.

  4. Connect to Peer Support

    • Peer groups (in-person or online) can be really helpful.

    • Knowing others who share similar experiences reduces isolation.

  5. Assist with Practical Needs

    • Help research legal name/gender marker change (if that’s something they want).

    • Support them in navigating health care for gender-affirming care (hormones, surgery, etc.).

    • Help find affirming resources: community centres, LGBTQ+ orgs, etc.

  6. Be Patient & Respectful

    • Everyone’s journey is different — don’t pressure someone to “come out” or transition at a certain pace.

    • Recognize that they may face discrimination, and help build a safer environment.

🌐 Where to Get Help / Resources (Canada-focused & more general)

Here are some specific places and resources for transgender support and help in Canada:

  • Trans Lifeline: A peer support crisis line run by trans people. In Canada, the number is 1-877-330-6366. saravyc.ubc.ca+2iqbc.org+2

  • Kids Help Phone: Free, 24/7 support for youth. Call 1-800-668-6868, or text CONNECT to 686868. saravyc.ubc.ca+1

  • PFLAG Canada: Support for transgender people and their families. Toll-free: 1-888-530-6777. saravyc.ubc.ca+1

  • Egale Canada: National advocacy plus resources to advance rights and well-being of LGBTQ+ people. Wikipedia

  • TransCare BC – Peer Support: If you’re in BC, there are peer support groups through TransCare BC. Trans Care BC

  • TransCare BC – Counselling: Guidance on how to find a counsellor, including peer-friendly or trans-competent therapists. Trans Care BC

  • Interligne: A Quebec-based 24/7 helpline for LGBTQ+ people (phone, text, chat). Wikipedia

  • Centre for Sexuality (Alberta): Offers free support for 2SLGBTQ+ youth, counselling, and family resources. centreforsexuality.ca

  • Rainbow Railroad: For transgender folks facing persecution / violence in their home country and needing relocation help.

🏳️‍⚧️ Transgender Support & Resources in Abbotsford / Fraser Valley

  1. Trans Care BC

Screenshot of a webpage titled Ipsos Pride Survey 2025, showing that most people support anti-discrimination protections, but support for several LGBT+ issues has declined. The page includes navigation menus and key findings text.

A rectangular graphic with rainbow and transgender flag colors as the background. In the center, a black rectangle reads LOVE IS LOVE in colorful letters, flanked by white heart outlines on each side.

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