Post written by Syd Shukla-Bergen, Gender and Sexual Diversity Working Group Member at RRC Polytech

November 20^th, 2025, is the Transgender Day of Remembrance; a day dedicated to remembering those who have lost their lives due to transphobia. The purpose of the day is to raise awareness of the violence, discrimination, and prejudice faced by the transgender community while providing a safe space for transgender voices to be heard and remembered. This global day of remembrance was created in 1999 to memorialize Rita Hester, Chanelle Pickett, and Monique Thomas, transgender women murdered between 1995 and 1998. Gwendolyn Ann Smith, the founder of the Transgender Day of Remembrance, was appalled by how quickly the media and society moved on after the deaths of these women, spurring on her creation of the candlelight vigils commemorating the lives lost. 

Gender based violent crime is not a thing of the past, it is seen all throughout Canada to this day. 59% of transgender and gender-diverse people have or will experience violent victimization in comparison to the cisgendered 37% violent victimization rate (Gender Based Violence Statistics Canada 2025). Approximately 75,000 people are transgender or gender diverse in Canada, meaning 44,250 of these individuals have experienced some form of violence directed towards them based on their gender identity. Beyond violent crime, transgender people may experience discrimination in several areas (Federal 2SLGBTQI+ Action Plan 2022):

• Employment and Housing
  • Discrimination, exclusion, and housing insecurity based on prejudice.
• Healthcare
  • Limited access to gender-affirming care, discrimination, inadequate training causing harm.
• Legal and Institutional Barriers
  • Chosen name denial and mis-gendering.
• Social and Mental Health
  • Social isolation, stigma, stress, intersectionality.

At RRC Polytech, we are committed to address systemic barriers by reviewing our program structures, removing barriers for marginalized communities, and meeting or exceeding industry standards in Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (EDIA) activities through collaboration, reconciliation, and action (RRC Polytech EDIA Institutional Plan). We encourage every individual to participate in our Transgender Day of Remembrance activities, to support your friends and colleagues who are members of the community, and to advocate for inclusive learning and workspaces.

If you or someone you know is in crisis, please reach out to RRC Polytech Counselling Services or any of these resources:

• The Klinic Crisis Line at (204)-768-8686
• Trans Lifeline at (877)-330-6366
• Suicide Crisis Helpline at 9-8-8

Transgender Day of Remembrance Vigil

Join the RRC Polytech community in remembrance by participating in a candlelight vigil, signing candles that will be hung in The Spectrum space, and enjoying donuts decorated with the Transgender flag. Events will take place at:

• NDC – Wednesday, November 19th, 2025, 12:00 pm- 12:45pm (The Spectrum)
• EDC – Thursday, November 20th, 2025, 12:00 pm- 12:45pm (The Library)