Press Release

November 18, 2005

‘TDOR’ honours those killed by intolerance

Egale commemorates Trans Day of Remembrance

Ottawa—Egale Canada commemorates the November 20th Trans Day of Remembrance (TDOR) by bringing attention to the many transgender victims of violence fuelled by prejudice, hatred and intolerance. This is the third year in a row that Canada’s largest equality rights seeking organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans-identified (LGBT) people and their allies, highlights this event.

“Egale supports and endorses the work of local communities to mark the appalling toll of violence and death among trans-identified people worldwide, particularly trans women,” says Jessica Freedman, Chair of the Trans Issues Committee for Egale. “Community events across Canada (see further below) help raise the profile of issues of vital importance to trans people among politicians, police, media and the general public.”

“The Trans Day of Remembrance is when we gather to honour our dead sisters and brothers”, says Tami Starlight, Board member of Egale Canada. “But it’s not just for the trans communities,” she adds. “We are reaching out to everyone in Canada to deplore the senseless violence, hatred and death.”

Ms. Starlight, is also an organizer of Vancouver’s TDOR event, underlines, “There is a need for action and now is the time, from providing explicit protection in human rights legislation to raising public awareness about the lack of social services, health care access and hate crime protections for trans people. I invite everyone to go to Egale’s website and sign our Trans Human Rights petition.”

TDOR has its origins in the November 28th, 1998 murder of Rita Hester, which triggered the “Remembering Our Dead” web site and a 1999 San Francisco candlelight vigil. Ever since, hundreds of communities around the world annually hold TDOR events on November 20th.

“Egale Canada is committed to fighting for equality and justice for all trans-identified people and to creating a world where trans people can live without fear, without violence, and without hate,” emphasizes Laurie Arron, Director of Advocacy for Egale.

Gilles Marchildon, Egale’s Executive Director, adds that, “Egale Canada endorses the following events and encourages all trans people and their allies to attend. Our organization also wishes to express the solidarity of lesbians, gay men and bisexual people with these communities in their sorrow, their anger and their determination.”

Founded in 1986, Egale Canada advances equality and justice for LGBT people, and their families, across Canada. Egale has over 4,000 members including people in each and every province and territory of Canada. Its work includes political action, legal interventions and public education and awareness.

For further information:
Tami Starlight, Vancouver Board member, Egale Canada and organizer of Vancouver TDOR event
Jessica Freedman, Chair of the Trans Issues Committee and contact person for Ottawa TDOR event
Laurie Arron, Director of Advocacy, Egale Canada
Gilles Marchildon, Executive Director, Egale Canada

To download a PDF of Egale’s Trans Human Rights petition:
http://www.egale.ca/petitions

For more information (including event details in cities across Canada):
http://www.egale.ca/trans
http://www.rememberingourdead.org/

Egale Canada ©2011

Égale Canada est l'organisme national de défense des droits des personnes LGBT, voué à la promotion de l'égalité, de la diversité, de l'éducation et de la justice.