Trans Day of Remembrance – 20 November 2023

Trans Day of Remembrance on 20 November is a day when vigils and events are held across the world. A common feature of the events is to read out the names of those known to have died in the previous twelve months as a consequence of their Trans or non-binary status.

Tragically, year on year this total is increasing. This year there are 391 names on the list. This is by no means all those who have met an untimely death. Statistics are only possible for countries that have active monitoring groups, and even where there are, quite often deaths are masked by misreporting and misgendering of the victims.

The deaths show a disturbing intersection of race, poverty, misogyny and trans-misogyny. Every year there is a large number of black* trans women on the list. The failure to provide adequate medical care for Trans and non-binary people means many are driven to the sex trade to fund their treatment, and a high proportion of victims are sex workers.

This year in the UK there was the brutal murder of the young trans girl Brianna Ghey, and the suicides of young trans people whose families have then been victimised and hounded off social media by hate because they supported the identities of their children and called for better health care for trans people.

PCS stands solidly behind the community in denouncing the hate and vilification which is aimed at the Trans and non-binary community at this present time.

What you can do

PCS is holding its LGBT+ seminar on 25 - 26 November in Birmingham. If you didn’t get chance to attend please look out for our coverage on the website and our social media.

Register to be part of the PCS Proud network.

For more information on trans issues, attend our Trans Equality course. The next course is on 4-5 December. Email tuedacademy@pcs.org.ukfor more details or to go on a waiting list for a future date.

By standing up against discrimination, members contribute to a workplace culture that values and respects the rights of all employees, irrespective of gender identity, promoting a fair and supportive atmosphere for trans and non-binary colleagues.

*Black: In PCS “black” is used in the political context to apply to people who are Asian, Chinese, African, African/Caribbean, Arabic etc. i.e. people from African and Asian Diaspora, including people of dual heritage.