Greens stand in solidarity with community marking Trans Day of Remembrance

16 November 2018

Greens stand in solidarity with community marking Trans Day of Remembrance

Brighton and Hove Greens have spoken out against anti-trans violence ahead of a vigil marking Trans Day of Remembrance (TDOR) this weekend.

A community vigil honouring the memory of all those who have died as a result of anti-transgender violence will take place on Sunday, 18th November at Dorset Gardens Methodist Church, hosted by the Clare Project and Trans Alliance – both groups that work to support trans people. The memorial event is multi-faith, open and welcoming to all groups regardless of faith or non-belief. The venue is also wheelchair accessible. [1]

Ahead of the memorial service, Green Councillor Phélim Mac Cafferty commented:

“This Sunday I will stand with the trans community as we come together to remember and honour those who have lost their lives to violent prejudice. In our city, between April 2017 and March 2018 there were 35 recorded hate crimes against the trans community. Although many understand our city to be a bastion of inclusion these figures attest to prejudice which is still ruining people’s lives.

 

“Trans Day of Remembrance highlights the horrific and unacceptable impact that transgender violence is having on our communities. We know that transphobia also takes a devastating toll on trans people’s mental health- recent figures from Stonewall [2] remind us that 1 in 2 trans people have thought about taking their own life in the last year.

 

“All residents in our city, regardless of their gender, deserve to live a life safe from fear and prejudice.  In the memory of those who have lost their lives, we must continue to stamp out hate. Especially at a time when the trans community has come under renewed attack, Greens will speak out against transphobia and press for equality for our trans community.” [2]

Councillor Mac Cafferty led the work of the council’s Trans Scrutiny Panel in 2012, which examined the needs and discrimination faced by people who identify as trans. The work led to the first health action plan to include the trans community;  a toolkit for our city’s teachers to educate pupils about transphobia, and work with Sussex police to improve hate crime reporting. [3]

 

[1] Details of the Brighton and Hove Transgender Day of Remembrance Memorial:

 

Brighton & Hove Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR)
Sunday 18th November 2:30-4pm
Dorset Gardens Sanctuary
Dorset Gardens Methodist Church
Dorset Gardens
Brighton
BN2 1RL

Hosted by the Clare Project and Trans Alliance, all are welcome, please arrive early to take your seat.  TODR  is an annual observance on November 20 that honours the memory of those whose lives were lost in acts of anti-transgender violence. The Brighton and Hove memorial event is taking place on Sunday 18th November 2018, all communities are welcome to join us as we pay respect at the vigil which involves reading a list of the names of those who died that year.   The fully inclusive Rainbow Chorus will be attending to sing.

http://brightontransalliance.wordpress.com

 

[2] https://www.stonewall.org.uk/sites/default/files/lgbt_in_britain_health.pdf

See also:  Crime Statistics 2017/18 – End of Year Position: http://present.brighton-hove.gov.uk/Published/C00000968/M00009224/AI00067176/$20180627095924_016332_0057789_180702bCommunitySafetyandCrimeinBrightonHoveNSadditions.docxA.ps.pdf

 

[3] Brighton and Hove Trans Equality Scrutiny Panel report, January 2013:

http://www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/sites/brighton-hove.gov.uk/files/downloads/democracy/Trans_Equality_Report_final_pdf.pdf


[4] Advice on Transphobic, Biphobic or Homophobic motivated hate incidents is available here: https://www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/content/council-and-democracy/equality/homophobic-biphobic-or-transphobic-motivated-hate-incidents

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