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Dillon Ford has never celebrated Transgender Day of Remembrance before.
But on Wednesday night, the 23-year-old transgender man said he felt it was important to go to a community center in Edmonton to remember the transgender people who have died around the world and in Alberta in recent years.
“It helps me see hope,” Ford said while at the memorial.
“I think now more than ever I want to remember how important it is to learn about transgender people, how people just want to be happy and live their lives the way they want to.”
Ford said he began to lose hope in October, when the United Conservative Party government in Alberta introduced three bills that would impact transgender people.
If passed, the bills would restrict transgender athletes from participating in amateur female sports, ban doctors from treating youth under 16 seeking gender-affirming surgery and require children under 16 to get their parents' permission if they use their name or pronouns in school want to change.
Prime Minister Danielle Smith has said the proposed legislation is part of an effort to keep children safe and that parents need to know what is going on with their children.
Critics call the proposed laws the most restrictive in Canada. Amnesty International and LGBTQ2 groups have condemned the measures.
Among the critics is the organizer of Wednesday's event, Adebayo Chris Katiiti, a 29-year-old therapist who was beaten and jailed in Uganda for being transgender before fleeing to Edmonton in 2016.
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He said he was not surprised that Wednesday's event saw new faces and had the largest turnout he has seen since he started organizing in 2018, as members of the transgender community feel more isolated and targeted by the legislation this year.
“The bills introduced here in Alberta continue to stifle and endanger the lives of transgender people. The bills perpetuate the stigma,” said Katiiti, 29, a therapist and life coach who works with the LGBTQ2 community.
“We have a government here that must protect us by passing laws that give voice and space to groups to attack our people.”
A participant holds a candle in honor of transgender people who have died during the Trans Day of Remembrance event in Edmonton on Wednesday, November 20, 2024.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Amber Bracken
Wednesday's solemn event began with a slideshow outlining some of the 427 transgender people who have died from violence or suicide around the world in recent years. One was stoned, another burned alive. One was 14 years old.
Through tears, and as attendees held candles, Katiiti said two people on the list — one a friend — were Albertans who died in 2022.
Among the speakers at the event highlighting Alberta legislation was Dee Lachet.
“This legislation attempts to portray the LGBTQ community and the transgender and gender diversity community in a negative light. … It is important that on a day like today we come together and rally because who is going to fight for us if it is not us,” she said during an interview at the meeting.
“It felt very exhausting to see how much contempt and ignorance there is around gender diverse people.”
Alberta's Minister of Arts, Culture and Status of Women said in a statement on Transgender Remembrance Day that she is committed to supporting transgender people and promoting understanding and respect for all Albertans.
“We also commit to creating a province where everyone has the freedom to be their true authentic selves, free from violence and prejudice,” said Tanya Fir. “There is no place for hatred or intolerance in our province.”
© 2024 The Canadian Press
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