Transgender Day of Remembrance
The Transgender Day of Remembrance was observed at 51 Division on November 20 to commemorate those who have been murdered as a result of transphobia and to draw attention to the continued violence endured by the Transgender community.
Auxiliary officer Viviana Santibanez said it is essential to honour transgender people who lost their lives to violence.
“We must to continue to fight for justice on their behalf,” she said. “It is vital that we remember and pay respect to those we have lost. We need to create a safe space for our transgender community and ensure that we provide opportunities for those who have been left behind, even within our 2SLGBTQ+ community."
“We mourn the many beautiful souls we have lost, individuals who could have become important change makers if only there had been more acceptance and respect. Most importantly, we must acknowledge the historical over-policing and under-protecting of our most vulnerable community members.”
Deputy Chief Lauren Pogue joined Santibanez in raising the Transgender Flag outside the Parliament and Front Sts. police station.
“We recognize, support and honour the transgender individuals who were robbed of their chances to see this day, all because they lived their lives as their true selves,” said Pogue.
It is the sixth year that the Service has raised the Transgender flag at 51 Division to honour transgender individuals who died because of transphobic violence.
“This is but a small step for our Service as we work towards addressing the continued violence endured by our transgender community,” said Pogue. “Today is a day that we remember those that we have lost. It is a day where we commit to the work we need to do to ensure our transgender, two spirit and gender-diverse community members are free from discrimination and intimidation.”
Sergeant Robert Chevalier, the Service’s 2SLGBTQI+ Liaison Officer, said this year the names of transgender community members were written by police and community participants to be displayed in a memory case in the lobby.
