Trans Day of Remembrance honoured with flag-raising

About 70 city officials, provincial government representatives, 2SLGBTQIA+ activists and citizens gathered at Province House on Thursday to observe the Trans Day of Remembrance. 

NDP House leader Lisa Lachance raised the trans flag to honour and remember the lives of the transgender, nonbinary, and gender-diverse people who died this year due to anti-transgender violence.

“I think it’s just a really important action to do,” Lachance said. “We are the most trans and gender-diverse province, which is kind of amazing, so this is a part of Nova Scotia.”

Other government representatives, including Lt.-Gov. Mike Savage, NDP leader Claudia Chender, and city councillor Sam Austin, were also present.

The ceremony is performed annually, and originated in 1999 in Boston when activists held vigils following the murders of three transgender women.

Nova Scotian Jane White was almost one of these women. At 18, she is a survivor of transgender violence. She attended the Day of Remembrance for her own sense of closure and community, and to remember her peers who were not as lucky. White is studying to be a historian and acknowledges the importance of learning from the past.

“Throughout history we have been here, and we are still surviving,” said White. “But there’s still so far to go.”

Mica Daurie, who spoke at the event, is a 2SLGBTQIA+ advocate, human rights expert, and trans woman.  

“You don’t have to understand trans folks or two-spirit, gender-diverse folks to be acknowledging and to be kind,” she said to the Signal.

This year, attendees pointed out that the event felt especially timely.

Across the country, anti-trans rhetoric is becoming more common. Earlier in the week, Alberta invoked the notwithstanding clause to block challenges to laws that would make access to health care and sports teams difficult for trans youth. In Halifax, known queer and trans-friendly businesses have been targets of vandalism.

This, says Daurie, is why we need these events.

Emma Barss, a spectator, shares these sentiments. She notes the “global moral panic about trans people” that has become prevalent in recent years and voices her desire for more active support for their trans friends and neighbours.

“It’s kind of not enough to just be supportive in passive ways,” Barss said. “Being visible is extra important right now.”

Catherine Cervin is also concerned by the way trans rights are under fire. As a retired family doctor, she notes the damaging effect this has on the mental health of trans people. Still, she remains hopeful.

“I’m just really looking forward to the day when we can celebrate everyone for who they are, and people can love who they want to love without any fear,” she said.