CUPE 960 marks the Transgender Day of Remembrance

November 20 is a day to remember those killed because of the hatred or fear of transgender people. It is also a time to consider the harassment and discrimination trans people face, and what we must do to eliminate it.

CUPE 960 will be at the Trans Flag raising ceremony tomorrow, November 20th at 1:00 outside City Hall. We will also be at 2013 Event tomorrow evening: 

PFLAG Canada Durham Region in partnership with Your SA - The Student Association at Durham College and UOIT (Outreach Services) present 2013's Trans Day of Remembrance Durham Region 

There will be speakers, performances, refreshments and lots of opportunity to learn more about the trans community and how you can support the trans community and individuals.

Come and show your support!

"The Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR) serves several purposes. It raises public awareness of hate crimes against transgendered people, an action that current media rarely performs. TDOR publicly mourns and honors the lives of our brothers and sisters who might otherwise be forgotten. Through the vigil, we express love and respect for our people in the face of national indifference and hatred. TDOR reminds non-transgendered people that we are their sons, daughters, parents, friends and lovers. TDOR gives our allies a chance to step forward with us and stand in vigil, memorializing those of us who’ve died by anti-transgender violence" 

Please read the following letter from CUPE National: 

A recent survey showed that one in five trans Ontarians over the age of 16 have been the targets of physical or sexual assault and another one in three have experienced verbal harassment or threats. High rates of suicide and attempted suicide prevail in the transgender community.

Trans rights are human rights. Trans people still struggle for the same rights most of us take for granted: a safe place to live and work, access to safe public washrooms and change rooms, identity documents that match their gender, to be called by their chosen name, and to express their sense of self freely in what they wear and how they interact with others.

For more than a decade now, CUPE has been a leader among Canadian unions in championing trans rights. CUPE has developed bargaining resources, negotiates and enforces contract language protecting trans rights, educates members, raises public awareness about transphobia, supports research, and lobbies for legislative change and improved access to health care.

Our union also provides training and support for trans and other LGBTTI activists to become leaders. In July of this year, a CUPE delegation took part in the Human Rights Conference at the 2013 World OutGames in Antwerp, Belgium. Our representatives did a presentation on transphobic harassment and discrimination in employment and health care that featured the personal experiences of Martine Stonehouse, Audrey Gauthier, and Deidra Roberts, three trans activists who sit on the National Pink Triangle Committee.

What can you and your local do to protect and promote trans rights?

• Learn more about trans issues. See the CUPE backgrounder and presentation at cupe.ca/lgbtti.
  
• Check out educational resources like the documentary film Transfixed at transfixedfilms.com and the CLC’s Workers in Transition guide at clc-ctc.ca.
• Consider trans members’ needs at the next round of bargaining. Check out language in CUPE’s Bargaining Equality guide at cupe.ca/bargeq.
• If your province’s human rights act does not already list gender identity and gender expression as grounds for discrimination and harassment, partner with community groups lobbying to make the change.
• Contact your MP or Senator to push for the revival and adoption of the federal private member’s bill C-279 to add explicit protection against discrimination and hate crimes based on gender identity to the Canadian Human Rights Act and theCriminal Code of Canada.

Together, we can ensure that every member of our diverse communities feels safe and welcome.

In solidarity and pride,

Paul Moist
National President

Charles Fleury
National Secretary-Treasurer