Fierté Sudbury Pride hosts an observance of the Transgender Day of Remembrance on Nov. 20.
The event will be held at 6 p.m. at the main branch of the Greater Sudbury Public Library, 74 MacKenzie St.
“The Transgender Day of Remembrance is an annual observance on November 20th that honours the memory of the transgender people whose lives were lost in acts of anti-transgender violence over the past year,” Sudbury Pride said in a news release. “It is a day of mourning, reflection, and solidarity.”
Those attending the vigil can expect:
- A reading of the names of those lost globally to transphobic violence.
- Community speakers sharing words of hope, resilience, and solidarity.
- Moments of silence for reflection and remembrance.
- A candle lighting ceremony as a visual tribute to the lives extinguished.
"This vigil is a space for our community and allies to come together in grief and in love," said Aspen Groom, chair of Fierté Sudbury Pride, in a news release.
"We remember those we have lost not as statistics, but as people with dreams, families and futures. It is also a powerful reminder of the work that still needs to be done to create a world where all transgender, non-binary and gender-diverse individuals can live safely, authentically and without fear."
Co-hosting the event are Black Lives Matter -Sudbury, SWANS, Reseau Access Network, Laurentian University Pride, Centre de santé communautaire du Grand Sudbury, Greater Sudbury Public Library and PFLAG Sudbury Chapter.
“This vigil is a community space for all — for those who identify as transgender, non-binary and Two-Spirit, and for allies who wish to stand in solidarity,” the news release said.
“To ensure a supportive environment, emotional support personnel will be available throughout the event and resources from local and national 2S-LGBTQIA+ organizations will be readily available.”