Trans Remembrance Day 2021: The events happening in and around Birmingham

Trans Awareness Week is November 13-19 every year. This a week in which organisations and people around the world participate to raise visibility for transgender people and address the issues the community faces.

Trans Remembrance comes at the end of Trans Awareness and is November 20. It is a day in which vigils and other events are held to honour and give visibility to members of the trans community who have died.

The Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) describes this day as: “an annual observance on November 20 that honours the memory of the transgender people whose lives were lost in acts of anti-transgender violence.”

Transgender Day of Remembrance was first started in 1999 by transgender advocate Gwendolyn Ann Smith as a vigil to honour the memory of Rita Hester, a transgender woman who was killed in 1998.

The Trans Community is still one of the most vulnerable communities, experiencing prejudice, violence and negligence by governing bodies and people around the world.

In fact, 2021 has been the worst year on record since authorities began reporting statistics for trans and gender-diverse violence. 357 lives have been lost in anti-trans killings worldwide.

Nightingale Club, 18 Kent Street, Birmingham is hosting a free event to commemorate Trans Day of Remembrance.

The club is asking that people arrive at 3pm. At 3:30-4:30 they will be having a trans safe space to discuss and reflect with peers.

At 4:30pm there will be readings and musical performances culminating in a candle lighting ceremony. The event will be taking place on the ground floor so it is accessible for all abilities with seating, accessible toilets and entrances.

Birmingham LGBT Centre and Sol Cafe is also hosting a workshop. During the workshop you will have the opportunity to make badges, banners, and prints to remember those who have been lost due to acts of transphobic violence.

The workshop is at 38/40 Holloway Circus, and will run from 12pm-2pm, you can register online today.