There was a heavy sense of solemnness as a banner of pink, white and blue rose high over the front lawn of B.C.B次元官网网址檚 legislature for all of Victoria to see.

Members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community, alongside allies and MLAs, gathered in front of the legislature on Sunday (Nov. 20) to observe Transgender Day of Remembrance and hoist the transgender flag on the flagpole.

B次元官网网址淭his morning B次元官网网址� waking up to that news B次元官网网址� on Transgender Day of Remembrance is a very recent, raw reminder that hate kills,B次元官网网址� Grace Lore, parliamentary secretary for gender equity, said in reference to the mass shooting at a gay nightclub in Colorado Springs, Colo. on Saturday (Nov. 19) that killed five people and left 18 injured. B次元官网网址淚t is devastating,B次元官网网址� said Lore. B次元官网网址淎nd the loss of life, the targeted violence because of who people are is something we must stand against.B次元官网网址�

The day commemorates the lives of transgender, two-spirit and non-binary people who have lost their lives to transphobic violence. It also recognizes the struggles of those who continue to suffer mistreatment and discrimination due to their identity.

Aaron Devor, chair of transgender studies at the University of Victoria, spoke at the ceremony, emphasizing the ongoing battle many in the transgender community face and the work still needed in the province and beyond.

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B次元官网网址淎lthough some of us now are able to enjoy some privileges, most trans people live daily lives punctuated by indignities and abuses B次元官网网址� both large and small, both aggressive and inadvertent,B次元官网网址� he said.

According to Ace Mann, secretary of the Victoria Pride Society, this year has been the deadliest on record for violence against transgender and gender non-conforming people. Mann said that up to 82 per cent of transgender and non-binary people have had suicidal thoughts, with about one in two making an attempt.

B次元官网网址淜eep in mind these statistics do not take into account the disproportionate amount of discrimination faced with intersecting identities,B次元官网网址� they said. Mann added that BIPOC, disabled and homeless transgender people are affected B次元官网网址渋n greatest numbers yetB次元官网网址� and that up to 96 per cent of those killed in attacks motivated by hate each year identify as both Black and transgender.

While Lore acknowledged steps that the provincial government has taken to recognize transgender identity, including making it easier for B.C. residents to correct their gender marker on government-issued identification earlier this year, she said thereB次元官网网址檚 still work to be done. Lore added that sheB次元官网网址檚 confident David Eby, who was sworn in as B.C.B次元官网网址檚 37th premier on Nov. 18, is committed to tackling 2SLGBTQ+ issues in communities across the province.

B次元官网网址淚 know thatB次元官网网址檚 something heB次元官网网址檚 committed to and IB次元官网网址檓 really looking forward to working with him on these issues going forward.B次元官网网址�

If you or someone you know needs help, please call the Trans Lifeline at 1-877-330-6366.

Do you have a story tip? Email: austin.westphal@saanichnews.com.

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