Bradford District marks Transgender Day of Remembrance

Article dated Friday Nov 17, 2023 at 12:45 PM

Bradford Council and partners will be marking the Transgender Day of Remembrance on Monday, 20 November at 11am.

‘Trans Day of Remembrance’, is a day for people to come together in solidarity with the Trans community to commemorate those who have lost their lives.

There will be a vigil in City Hall to mark the day with guest speakers and there will then be a two minutes silence and the Transgender flag will be raised in Centenary Square and lowered to half-mast as a mark of respect to the transgender people who have lost their lives over the last year in acts of anti-transgender violence.

Transgender Awareness Week (13-19 November) is a time to show support for all people who are transgender. It is a week when transgender people and their allies take action and work to educate the public about who transgender people are, sharing stories and experiences, and considering the issues of prejudice, discrimination, and violence that affect the transgender community.

Bradford University are holding a Commemoration Service that will take place at the Richmond Building Atrium on 20 November, followed by a flag raising ceremony at the Peace Garden from 12.30pm. The University of Bradford Centre for Inclusion and Diversity and LGBTQ+ Staff Network also invites you to a theatre show, Transparency – A Northern Tale of Transition, at 4pm Theatre in the Mill.

Bradford Equity Partnership in partnership with Bradford East Youth Service are hosting an open event on 20 November at 6pm with the Phoenix Trans Youth Group. Displaying an art piece designed by the young people, commemorating the lives lost to the trans community and holding a moment to reflect and discuss the issues.

Councillor Sinead Engel, Bradford Council’s LGBTQ+ Champion, said: “Bradford Council stands shoulder to shoulder with the trans community. As a society we need to stand in solidarity, we need to challenge transphobia and importantly we need to listen and ensure the trans community are at the centre of decisions that affect their lives.

“We want everyone in our district to be valued for who they are, so promoting inclusion, equalities and diversity and eliminating discrimination have to be at the forefront of all that we do. Transgender Awareness Week and Transgender Day of Remembrance are important ways of supporting our transgender community and raising awareness and our understanding of the issues that they face every day.” 

Charles Dacres, Director of Bradford Hate Crime Alliance, said: "Bradford Hate Crime Alliance stands in solidarity with the trans community. We must confront transphobia and listen to their concerns. We are committed to valuing everyone in our community and eliminating discrimination. Transgender Day of Remembrance is vital for highlighting and supporting our transgender community."

Becky Hutchinson, Chief Executive Officer of Equity Partnership, said: “Transgender Day of Remembrance seeks to highlight the losses to the community through transphobia and violence. As an organisation we are still fighting for rights, and the right for our trans siblings to exist. Many are seeking to eradicate transgender people. It is more important now than ever we remember those who lost their lives and we continue to fight for equality.”

For more information contact Phil Kitson on philip.kitsom@bradford.gov.uk

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