Transgender Day of Remembrance and Transgender Awareness Week – A message from the 2SLGBTQI+ Defence Team Champions

November 18, 2024 - Defence Stories

Resources

To all Defence Team members, if you or someone you know needs emotional support, please seek assistance:

• Employee Assistance Program (24/7)
• Military Mental Health Services
• 9-8-8 Suicide Crisis Helpline
• Centre of Expertise on Mental Health in the Workplace

Each year, Transgender Awareness Week (November 13 – 19) leads up to the Transgender Day of Remembrance, which is observed on November 20. These important dates offer us a chance to reflect, honour, and take meaningful steps in support of our transgender, non-binary, and gender-diverse colleagues, as well as all members of the 2SLGBTQI+ communities.

The Transgender Day of Remembrance was founded in 1999 by activist Gwendolyn Ann Smith in memory of Rita Hester, a transgender woman who was murdered in 1998. Rita’s death highlighted the alarming rates of violence faced by transgender people and compelled the community to recognize and remember victims of transphobic violence. Twenty-five years later, what began as a vigil to honour Rita has grown into an annual, global observance dedicated to memorializing all those who have lost their lives to such violence and reaffirms the need to create safer, more inclusive spaces.

Based on 2018 self reporting statistics, transgender and gender diverse people in Canada were more likely than cisgender people to having been physically or sexually assaulted at least once since the age of 15. They were more than twice as likely to have experienced unwanted sexual behaviour in public places that made them feel unsafe or uncomfortable, including in the workplace, and were also more likely than cisgender people to have experienced online harassment.

While efforts are underway to foster inclusivity across our organization, within Canadian society detrimental legal and social barriers that inhibit trans persons being able to live as their authentic selves persist and, in many cases, are growing. Now, more than ever, allyship is of utmost importance.

Allyship requires individuals to take ownership of what they know and do not know, educate themselves, listen to experiences and perspectives that may differ from their own, and actively support those within the community when possible and safe to do so. For support and educational resources and information, you can explore the Positive Space Program (accessible only on the National Defence network) and the Defence Team Pride Advisory Organization (DTPAO) (accessible only on the National Defence network) intranet pages.

The DTPAO organized flag raisings at several bases and wings across the country on November 20, 2024. To show your support to transgender and gender diverse Defence Team members, we encourage you to attend one of these events. Participating bases and wings include:

• Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Moose Jaw
• CFB Goose Bay
• 4th Canadian Division Training Centre (Meaford)
• 3rd Canadian Division Support Base Edmonton
• CFB Borden
• 4th Canadian Division Support Base Petawawa
• CFB Esquimalt
• CFB Cold Lake
• CFB Winnipeg
• CFB North Bay (November 15)
• CFB Trenton
• CFB Halifax
• CFB Wainwright

As your Defence Team 2SLGBTQI+ Champions, we are dedicated to advancing a safe and supportive environment where every member can live as their true selves with dignity and respect. We encourage everyone to reflect on how we can collectively champion diversity, equity, and the well-being of all in the Defence Team.