More than a hundred people gathered in Victoria’s Bastion Square Monday night to mark Transgender Day of Remembrance.
A time to honour the memory of all those killed in acts of transphobic violence.
Those on hand took part in a candlelit ceremony where the names of victims were read out loud.
Between October 1st, 2016 and September 30th of 2017, 325 transgender people around the world lost their lives, according to an online list.
The only Canadian name on the list this year is that of Sisi Thibert, a transgender sex worker who was stabbed in Montreal.
“Nobody should be murdered just because of their gender identity,” says Chrys Tei of the Rainbow Health Coalition.
“Its also a time to call to action, so a community like ours that is more inclusive, more diverse, we are one of the beacons in the world, so its important for us to maintain that and move that forward.”
In a statement on Monday, B.C. Premier John Horgan wrote “Today and always, we remember those we have lost. Together, we will build a more just and inclusive province.”
Ben O'Hara
