Nov. 12-19 is Trans Awareness Week. It Ends with the Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR), an annual observance on November 20 that honors the memory of those whose lives were lost in acts of anti-transgender violence.
Between November 12 – 19, individuals and organizations around the country will participate in Trans Awareness Week to help raise the visibility of transgender and gender non-conforming people, and address the issues the community faces. It’s a time for trans and non-binary people and their allies to take action and bring attention to the community by educating folks, and advancing advocacy around the issues of prejudice, discrimination, and violence that trans people face.
TDOR was started in 1999 by transgender advocate Gwendolyn Ann Smith as a vigil to honour the memory of Rita Hester, a transgender woman who was killed in 1998. The vigil began an important tradition that has become the annual Transgender Day of Remembrance. A day to honour those lost to anti-trans violence and to continue the fight for justice.
How to Participate in TDOR
You can take part in TDOR by organizing or attending a local vigil on November 20. In Winnipeg the TDOR vigil will be held at the University of Winnipeg Bulman Centre starting at 6:30pm. The location is accessible by elevator and has gender neutral bathrooms nearby. ASL service will be provided. Light snacks will be served.
