Community members, Greater Sudbury Police Service and the City of Greater Sudbury observed Transgender Remembrance Day at the William Bell gazebo on Nov. 20.
The annual observance honours the memory of those whose lives have been lost in acts of transgender violence and in Sudbury, the community with lived transgender experience was celebrated as well.
Coming days after the Ontario Progressive Conservative convention at which a resolution was passed calling on the party to debate whether or not to recognize gender identity, and calling it a theory that is highly controversial and an unscientific liberal ideology, this year's Transgender Day of Remembrance was particularly poignant.
The party motion — which Premier Doug Ford said he will not implement — also called on the government to remove the teaching and discussion of gender identity from the provincial curriculum.
Together, some 50 people braved frigid -13 degree weather that felt like -18 with the wind chill, to listen to speeches from community members and to watch the raising of the transgender flag in Bell Park. The flag that was raised is the same design as the one raised in Ottawa and was created by Michelle Lindsay. The horizontal bands are coloured sunset magenta and ocean blue, and are said to signify the unlimited horizons the trans community has in the world.
Activist, educator and trans community member Vincent Bolt said while the circumstances that bring people together on Transgender Remembrance Day still include violence and discrimination, he was encouraged by support shown at the flag raising.
“I am feeling very optimistic,” Bolt said.
Bolt referred to having GSPS Chief Paul Pedersen and Superintendent Sheilah Weber present along with members from Réseau Access Network, Sudbury Action Centre for Youth, and representatives from city hall as well as other organizations represented at the event.
“Seeing so many members of our community here today to support what we're doing and having this visibility means so much to me,” Bolt said.
In his remarks, Pedersen affirmed the police service's values of respect, inclusivity, courage and honesty, as well as its commitment to protecting all citizens of Greater Sudbury.
“Everybody should feel safe in our community,” Pedersen said. “The police are all about safety, and regardless of gender identity you should feel safe as anybody else. That's why we are here.”
Mayor Brian Bigger was also on hand and pledged the city's support for all members of the community.
“From a community perspective, from the mayor's perspective and all of city council, we want to show our support and make sure that people understand that our community is against violence,” said Greater Sudbury Mayor Brian Bigger. "We are supportive as well as understanding of people within our community."
Studies have shown that violence against people who identify as transgender is associated with a considerably increased suicide risk. A report by Trans PULSE Project noted, “Contrary to the notion that depression and suicidality are primarily attributable to distress inherent to being trans, we found evidence that discrimination and violence had strong adverse impacts on mental health.
This means that interventions to improve the social and human rights situation of trans people have the potential to reduce depression and suicidality.”
A number of supports are available to transgender youth and adults in Sudbury. A list of local resources has been compiled by Fierté Sudbury Pride and is accessible via the following link: Rainbow Resources.
Additionally, the first peer-supported transgender suicide hotline was launched in Canada in 2015. Trans Lifeline is operated by transgender volunteers. To reach them toll-free, dial 1-877-330-6366.
