Trans Day of Remembrance
On November 20, we observe Trans Day of Remembrance (TDOR) to honour the lives of Two-Spirit, trans, and non-binary individuals lost to violence, transphobia, and systemic discrimination. TDOR reminds us, within our hospital and broader community, to pause and reflect on the importance of creating safe, respectful, and inclusive spaces for all.
Education and awareness around the needs of sexual and gender-diverse communities are priorities for us as a hospital, and we are committed to ongoing training to better support these communities. Today, we stand together in compassion and support, reaffirming our commitment to providing inclusive, equitable, and affirming healthcare for trans and gender-diverse individuals.
In 2019, the Trans PULSE Canada project surveyed nearly 3,000 trans and non-binary people, producing the country’s first comprehensive report on the health and well-being of trans and non-binary people in Canada, shining a light on the harsh realities of their daily lives and health challenges. Findings include:
Nearly half (45%) of trans and non-binary respondents reported unmet healthcare needs, compared to just 4% in the general population.
31% of trans and non-binary respondents had considered suicide in the past year, compared to 2.6% among Canadians overall.
6% reported attempting suicide, a rate twenty times higher than in the general Canadian population (0.3%).
23% of Indigenous trans and non-binary respondents rated their mental health as poor, while 43% said it was fair.
Due to fear of discrimination, 12% of all respondents—including 21% of Indigenous respondents—avoided emergency rooms last year.
For many trans and gender-diverse people, the fear of discrimination—often shaped by past experiences of bias in healthcare and limited affirming identification options—creates barriers to accessing the care they need and deserve. This highlights the importance of building more inclusive and respectful systems of care.
Every year, candlelight vigils are held worldwide to honour those whose lives were cut short. These memorials provide an opportunity to raise public awareness, promote understanding, and remember those lost over the past year, with names read aloud in a collective act of compassion and solidarity.
On November 20, join Ottawa’s TDOR vigil at the Human Rights Monument (220 Elgin Street) at 6:30 p.m. Let’s come together, remember, and commit to building a world that is safer and more inclusive for everyone.
To learn more, check out these links: