UCalgary observes Transgender Day of Remembrance

The University of Calgary marked the 2024 Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDoR) by gathering students, faculty, staff and senior leaders for a flag-raising ceremony to honour trans lives lost to violence and discrimination across Canada and worldwide. 

This sombre observance, organized by the Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (OEDI) in collaboration with the Graduate Students' Association (GSA), honoured the memory of transgender persons who lost their lives in acts of violence and highlighted the continued work to advance fairness, justice, and equitable inclusion for trans individuals on campus and in the wider community. It was held in front of the Rozsa Centre on Nov. 20 and led by Dr. Sandra Davidson, provost and vice-president (academic) and Dr. Tonya Callaghan, OEDI academic director for LGBTQ2S+ equity, inclusion and intersectionality. It also featured key speakers from the campus LGBTQ2S+ community networks.

Davidson, PhD, opened the ceremony by emphasizing the importance of creating a campus environment where all individuals are respected and feel valued and safe. "Today, we remember lives lost and renew our commitment to inclusivity and respect," she said.

Speakers highlighted persistent challenges faced by trans individuals in educational institutions, including climate, everyday microaggressions, and systemic barriers. 

Jamie Anderson, MA’20, a trans graduate student and advocate, shared a deeply personal account of resilience and community support, calling for a moment of silence before raising the Transgender Pride flag. 

The event was followed by a peer-led sharing circle at Aapiiniioyis (White Buffalo Lodge), where attendees discussed the impact of violence against trans individuals and shared stories of hope. The atmosphere was one of solemnity and determination to continue the fight for equity, inclusion and belonging.

This year's ceremony comes against the backdrop of increasing violence against transgender individuals globally. Advocacy groups report that trans individuals, particularly women of colour, face bigotry, microaggressions and micro-insults, and disproportionately high rates of violence and discrimination. 

In closing, Davidson urged the campus community to remain steadfast allies. "Each of us has a role in creating a culture where everyone feels they belong," she said, inviting attendees to participate in upcoming events focused on equity and inclusion. 

At UCalgary, strides have been made to foster equitable inclusion and belonging, from policies on name changes, introducing gender-neutral washrooms to integrating LGBTQ2S+ ideas, knowledges and perspectives into curriculum, research topics, and community engagement initiatives. However, Dr. Malinda Smith, PhD, vice-provost and associate vice-president research (equity, diversity and inclusion) says recognized gaps remain and work must continue to achieve trans inclusion and well-being. 

There is still work to be done and the recognition of TDoR was an important step on this journey, said Dr. Smith. “At UCalgary, as elsewhere, we are on a journey to engender equitable futures that are trans-inclusive,” Smith said. 

“We are mindful of the challenging context in which we do this necessary work to advance a fairer university and more just world. We know the minimal ameliorative things we can do around misgendering, inclusive space, actions to foster equitable inclusion and belonging, and initiatives to promote diverse leadership and inclusive governance that reflect our diverse population in meaningful ways. 

“We should aspire to a trans-inclusive future where faculty, staff, students and senior leaders, alike, aren’t just surviving. We want a trans-inclusive present and future in which members of our campus community are thriving and achieving their fullest potential.” 

For more on UCalgary’s LGBTQ2S+ initiatives, visit the webpage.