Once again, this year our city will stand together for Trans Day of Remembrance (TDoR) on Friday, November 20 – an important date for the trans community and their allies to come together to reflect, and to stand-up against hatred.
Ahead of the memorial service, Cllr Phélim Mac Cafferty, Brighton & Hove City Council leader, commented:
“On TDoR we once again look across the world, remembering trans people killed this year for nothing other than being who they are. Trans people still face a totally unacceptable level of discrimination, prejudice and ignorance. Figures from the last year tell us transphobic hate crime in the city is up 43% while nationally it has mushroomed to nearly double that-81%. So it’s clear there’s still a lot of work to do if we are to achieve equality for trans people
“Although this year we can’t be present together to mark our respects for those who have died and to show our solidarity with the trans community, we continue to offer our strong support to trans people across Brighton & Hove and remain fully committed to making trans equality a reality. With the trans community we will push together for a fairer future.”
Kahina Bouhassane, Brighton & Hove Green Party Chair, said:
“This TDoR, Brighton & Hove Green Party again stand tall in support of the trans community. Although we cannot mark this day as we normally would, this issue remains close to my heart and the mission of our Green Party.
“It is devastating to see this violence and discrimination not only present in the UK, but increasing. I remain committed to fighting inequality in all it’s forms. Trans rights are human rights.”
Caroline Lucas, MP for Brighton Pavilion, added:
“Trans people face discrimination, abuse and hatred every day and trans women of colour — particularly black trans women — are disproportionately affected by fatal violence in our society. As we remember those killed by hatred let’s also pledge to redouble our efforts for justice and equality for the trans community.
“I know directly from constituents that applying for legal gender recognition is a long and arduous process, with significant barriers and I am extremely concerned following reports the Government is planning to halt proposed reforms to the Gender Recognition Act (GRA). Reform is urgent and I will keep doing all I can to push for changes need to the GRA and I know that non-binary people need urgent recognition of their rights too and I am proud to stand in solidarity and to campaign in support of policies to put an end to discrimination.
“In Parliament, I have signed a number of Early Day Motions and most recently, I was proud to be a top sponsor of a motion on International Day against Homophobia, Biphobia, Transphobia and Interphobia calling on the Government to continue to advance and uphold the rights of all LGBTIQA+ people.
“Transphobia is not inevitable, nor is unbeatable. I look forward to continue working with trans activists and allies to continue the fight for real equality.”
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