Supporting Transgender Day of Remembrance
17 Nov 2022
For the tenth year running our University will mark Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR) to honour those who have lost their lives to transphobia in the last 12 months
This collaborative event between our University, Manchester Metropolitan University, the LGBT Foundation, our Students' Union and St Peter’s House takes place on Monday, 21 November – as Transgender Day of Remembrance falls on Sunday, 20 November.
The event has been organised to demonstrate a respectful way to honour those who have lost their lives to transphobia in the last 12 months. We are very fortunate to live and work in a society and community which embraces all people and we hope this event will enable people to understand the barriers still faced by the trans community as well as the transphobia which is still sadly prevalent.
The number of countries with laws and legislation which recognise gender identity and expression is increasing, but many do not recognise the trans community.
Whilst the event is a time for reflection and commemoration we will also be looking forward to the positive changes we can influence over the next twelve months.
Director of EDI Banji Adewumi said: "We acknowledge that Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR) is a difficult and emotional time for our trans staff, allies and their community. We want to use this joint event on 21 November as a time for reflection and respectfully paying tribute to those who have lost their lives due to transphobia in the last year.
"Reflecting in this way also makes us think of how we can address inequalities for our trans and non-binary staff and students and what we can do as a whole to combat transphobia."
"Transgender Day of Remembrance has been observed annually as a day to remember those who have been murdered as a result of transphobia. The day was founded to draw attention to the continued violence and endured by transgender people.
"We have robust reporting systems such as Report and Support, and our network group ALLOUT are available to support any member of the LGBT+ community. We have improved our trans policy and guidance in 2022 as well as ensuring our new strategy gives safe spaces to our trans and non-binary colleagues. So please take the time to think about the actions against trans people, all those transgender people whose lives were lost to anti-trans violence, and how we can all work together to support trans rights to life, not only in Manchester, but around the world.”
If you are unable to make the event, then are other things you can do. We have University guidance, a short video on barriers faced by trans colleagues, backdrops for your Zoom and Teams calls and members of staff can even become a trans ally through our ALLOUT Allies Scheme.
- For more information and resources please visit Equality, Diversity and Inclusion.