Today, on Trans Day of Remembrance, we acknowledge the gains made on both the global and domestic stage to ensure that all people have the right to live free from violence, discrimination and coercion. We recognize activists who have been and continue to be on the front lines, leading the charge to end transphobia and cissexism in all its forms. These gains include, but are not limited to, the passing of the historic Bill C-16 which adds gender identity and gender expression to the list of prohibited grounds of discrimination in Canada and the funding of the Trans PULSE Canada research team who will continue the crucial and transformative work done by the Trans PULSE Ontario research team (Woohooo! Congratulations!).
We also recognize that although these gains are huge, we still have a long way to go to ensure trans people live free from violence and discrimination. This is especially the case for people who experience intersecting oppressions and structural violence such as trans Black, Brown, Indigenous People of Colour. We see the links between the pushbacks against sex-ed curricula in several provinces or discriminatory policies and resolutions targeting trans and gender non-conforming people gaining ground, and transphobic violence. We commit to fight for trans rights, for justice, for health equity and for resources, and we pledge to continue working with and alongside trans, gender non-binary and two-spirit communities to stand up against transphobia and transmisogyny.
Today and every day, we mourn and we remember all of those lost in the world because of transphobia. We also celebrate the resilience, power and beauty of trans people and the legacy of trans-led organizing and community building in the broader struggle for justice and liberation for all.