Metro Vancouver organizations raise transgender flag for day of remembrance
Posted November 20, 2022 5:08 pm.
The transgender flag is flying high throughout Metro Vancouver in remembrance of the people who have died due to anti-trans violence.
Sunday marks the Transgender Day of Remembrance, and people across the province are taking time to reflect.
“We grieve the death of nearly 370 people worldwide who were victims of violence and transphobia in 2022. We know that this number is likely much higher, because too often these deaths are unreported or misreported,” a statement from Premier David Eby and Grace Lore, the parliamentary secretary for gender equity, said.
Outside of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia in Victoria. (Photo courtesy of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia Twitter)
Eby also took time during his Sunday public safety announcement to acknowledge the significance of the day.
“I’d like to start off with a bit of a reflection on the…hate crimes against transgender people around the world,” he said.
The premier also noted the “horrific shootings” that happened in Colorado Springs early Sunday morning, where five people were killed and 18 were injured in a mass shooting at an 2SLGTBQ+ nightclub.
“These kinds of hate crimes, there’s no space for them anywhere in the world, and certainly not in British Columbia,” he said. “Our hearts go out to those affected by the shootings in Colorado and everybody hurt by crimes against people for simply being who they are.”
Other agencies are also showing their support and remembrance, as the Vancouver Police Department (VPD) raised the transgender flag outside of police headquarters.
In a tweet, the VPD said, “Help us put an end to violence against those in our transgender community.”
To honour #TransDayOfRemembrance, the transgender flag has been raised at #VPD headquarters in memory of all those who have tragically lost their lives in acts of anti-transgender violence. #TDOR pic.twitter.com/oCYaJPQogD
— VPD Diversity, Inclusion & Indigenous Relations (@VPDDiversity) November 20, 2022
The City of Vancouver raised the flag outside of city hall.
“Vancouver is home to the largest Two-Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, gender diverse, and queer (2SLGBTQ+) community in Western Canada,” the city added on its website.
Today is Transgender Day of Remembrance and we are raising the #TransgenderFlag at City Hall to acknowledge the victims of transphobic prejudice and violence, and in support of the trans, Two Spirit & gender-diverse community. pic.twitter.com/rmJM1DR0RI
— City of Vancouver (@CityofVancouver) November 20, 2022
The New Westminster Police Department acknowledged the day in a tweet in remembrance of “the victims of transphobic violence.”
“We all need to listen to trans and non-binary people, amplify their voices and come together to fight transphobia.”
The flag can also been seen outside of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia in Victoria.
“Trans people…still face an increased risk for violence and hate crime, and significant discrimination in many aspects of daily life, such as finding a safe place to call home, going to school, securing a job or accessing health care. It’s up to all of us to speak out against this discrimination and break down barriers that transgender people face,” the statement form Eby and Lore added.
