Vigil in Duncan City Square Honors Transgender Day of Remembrance and Victims of Trans Violence

Accident – Death – Obituary News : Dozens Gather in Duncan City Square to Mark Transgender Day of Remembrance

A candlelight vigil was held on Monday in Duncan City Square to commemorate Transgender Day of Remembrance. The event, organized by Cowichan Pride Society, drew a somber crowd of community members who came together to honor and mourn the lives of transgender and gender-queer individuals. The ceremony shed light on the alarming rates of violence and suicide faced by trans people worldwide, as well as the growing threats to their safety and right to exist authentically.

Carly Jahelka, a representative from Cowichan Pride Society, opened the ceremony with a land acknowledgement, emphasizing the importance of recognizing that acts of violence against queer bodies occur on stolen land that has also endured violence. Transgender Day of Remembrance is observed annually on November 20th, specifically highlighting the lives of transgender individuals who have been violently taken away. A poster board was displayed during the event, featuring the names of 320 trans and gender-diverse people who lost their lives last year, as documented by the Trans Murder Monitoring project.

Jahelka expressed the collective grief felt by the community, acknowledging the lack of words to describe the magnitude of such sorrow. She emphasized the significance of trans existence as an act of resistance against generations of colonial systems that have tried to devalue trans lives and rights. Jahelka urged for the amplification and upliftment of trans voices in all areas and systems of power.

Debra Toporowski, a councillor with the Municipality of North Cowichan, was invited to speak and emphasized that violence against transgender people is unacceptable. She called upon communities to do better in supporting everyone, emphasizing the importance of standing together and not hiding who we are. Toporowski expressed her presence at the vigil as a demonstration of love and support.

Pax Elle, another representative from Cowichan Pride Society, spoke about holding space not only for the visible trans community but also for the invisible trans community, which includes those who are forced to live without life-saving medical care or gender-affirming support. Elle acknowledged the alarming rates of suicide among young trans individuals, highlighting that they are five times more likely to attempt suicide compared to their cisgender counterparts.

As a parent herself, Elle asked allies to remember the parents who have supported their trans children but still lost them. Elle promised that the trans community would continue fighting for them, emphasizing the determination to resist the oppressive forces that threaten trans lives. Elle also addressed the vitriolic comments and hate speech that trans individuals frequently face on social media, emphasizing the dehumanization that occurs as a result. Elle reminded the audience that trans people are human and deserving of respect and dignity.

The vigil concluded with a moment of silence led by Elle, followed by an invitation for attendees to write words of love and support on post-it notes. These notes were then added to the poster alongside the names of trans individuals who lost their lives last year. The act served as a powerful symbol of solidarity and a reminder that trans lives are sacred.

In a time of increasing violence and discrimination against trans and gender-diverse individuals, events like the candlelight vigil in Duncan City Square provide a space for healing, remembrance, and the reaffirmation of support for the trans community. The Cowichan Pride Society, along with its allies, continues to advocate for the rights and safety of trans individuals, reminding the world that their existence is not only valid but also essential..