Transgender Day of Remembrance

[content in this article may be triggering for some with content including murder, abuse, and suicide. For mental health support please contact Student Services or in emergency remember you can contact 999]

Following Trans Awareness Week (13th - 20th November), Monday 20th marked Trans Day of Remembrance. This day is marked annually on the 20th November and is used to honour those from the trans+ community that we have lost over the past year. 

Trans Day of Remembrance first began in 1999 when transgender advocate Gwendolyn Ann Smith organised a vigil to honour Rita Hester, a trans woman killed the year before. The vigil commemorated all the transgender people lost to violence since Rita Hester’s death and began an important tradition that has become the annual day of remembrance.

In Plymouth, we commemorated the day with Not Alone Plymouth and the University of Plymouth at the Sherwell Centre by reading out the 320 trans and gender-diverse people reported murdered across the world this year. It is important to remember that this data only reports those who have died in a direct act of physical violence and not those who have died due to ongoing abuse or suicide. The figures also only represent those reported in the media.

Of the 320 killed, 94% were trans women or femmes and 80% were black, brown, or racialised. 128 of those killed were known to be under 30 years old. We remember also Brianna Ghey, 16 years old, from Cheshire, England.

Data was from The Trans Murder Monitoring Report, Transgender Europe.

Transgender individuals can face discrimination, prejudice, and subsequent poor mental health; with trans people twice as likely to commit suicide than cis people. At UPSU, we aim to support all students, including those identifying as transgender or gender non-conforming. 

You can report hate crimes, including transphobia, through the University of Plymouth Speak Up tool. Find out more and access the tool here. 

Finding LGBT+ communities through your SU:
 

LGBTQ+ Network
The LGBT+ Network is a space where all self-defining LGBT+ students and allies can come together as a community, keep up to date regarding issues which impact them and campaign on issues impacting your time at Plymouth.
Find out more
Sign up to the mailing list
 

Transgender and Non-Binary Support Group
The Transgender and Non-Binary Support Society (TANBS) aim to provide a safe and comfortable space for transgender, nonbinary, and gender-questioning students, as well as allies to the community, to meet and connect. They hold regular, relaxed meet-ups where students can openly discuss gender-related topics and seek support from one another. 
Find out more
 

University of Plymouth LGBT+ Society
LGBT+ is Plymouth University’s society dedicated to not only supporting and representing students who are part of the LGBT+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and all other sexualities & gender identities) community, but to empower them to be themselves, and to be proud.
Find out more

Accessing support:

Support for University of Plymouth students:
 

UPSU Advice team
We are here to support you through your time at University, we can provide free advice on a range of issues. You also have access to a vast set of resources online to support you. Our team of friendly advisors have experience in dealing with all types of student enquiries so you can rest assured that you will get the right information.
Find out more
 

University of Plymouth Student Services
If you are looking for advice, guidance or support with your wellbeing or mental health then there is lots of support available for you. Student wellbeing services are available to support your academic progress and provide you with strategies to overcome/manage distress.
Find out more

For local support in the wider Plymouth community, please reach out to:

Not Alone Plymouth: Transgender and Non-Binary Support Group~
"Not Alone provides support and advice for transgender and non-binary people in Plymouth. It has been set up to provide a safe place for sharing thoughts and feelings for those who need it."
Find out more


Proud2Be
"Proud2Be is a grassroots queer-led social enterprise that exists to support and enable LGBTQIA+ people in Devon (and beyond) to thrive, be free, safe and proud to be ourselves; and to work with others to acknowledge and help dismantle systemic oppression.?"
Find out more


Intercom Trust
"Intercom Trust is a community-led charity that aims to build a South West region where people are treated with respect, celebrated, and where vibrant LGBT+ communities live with real equality."
Find out more