Do you believe that the transexual community is just a momentary movement that one day will die out like the bottle flip challenge? Transexual people live in a world of inequality and it’s time we start to consider what we can do to help them feel accepted, as much as we want to feel accepted.  Since 1999, November 20th has become a day to honor and remember those who were wrongfully neglected and murdered due to their identity as a transexual. Trans Day of Remembrance (TDoR) not only remembers the trans people who have passed away in oppression but also honors and acknowledges those who helped expose the daily hardships they faced by being different from others.

Every year, hundreds of transgender people are murdered by those who perceive transgenders as abnormal. This year according to Trans Murder Monitoring (Tgeu), around 281 transgenders have been reported dead, and 5322 deaths have been recorded since 2009. These deaths have been caused by the lack of empathy some people have developed for transgender people, albeit through their religious beliefs and/or cultural beliefs. It’s important to reflect on how to treat others and understand the impact of your words to everybody, not just a transexual person. 

Organizations such as the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and Advocates For Trans Equality (A4TE) advocate for the voices of the transgenders who feel neglected and forgotten. These organizations defend them publicly and sue discriminatory policies against the transgenders community. They take a big part of the TDoR by representing the transgender community, helping others empathize with the stories of those who are brave enough to share it.

As people who belong in the same humanity, kindness and respect are the basic foundations of a healthy and close environment. Small things such as compliments, conversations, or even just a smile can make a huge impact on someone’s self-esteem

and the way they perceive themselves. Be the person you would want in your moment of difficulty. If you see someone feeling lonely, spare them time and empathy, it could really change the way that person feels about themselves.

Even though TDoR began in the United States, now it’s an international day to remember the victims of a cruel and apathetic system. It is up to, as part of the student community and future grown-ups to support this day, but remember that before anything, we are all humans, and we all deserve equality before the eyes of anyone. Each and every one of us are unique in our own way, but we all belong to humanity. 

Here at Richmond Hill, we have a SAYA sponsored club – Rainbow Coalition, who welcomes everyone. It is a group of students who support each other and engage to celebrate people’s uniqueness and learn about movements of the LGBTQ community. As a student, I believe you should consider the way you engage with people around you and treat others how you would want to be treated.