A memorial service to recognize transgender people and remember lives lost lost to hatred and violence will be held Monday, Nov. 20, 11 a.m., at UBC’s Okanagan campus as part of Kelowna’s Transgender Day of Remembrance.
The ceremony will take place at the campus courtyard.
Jenica Frisque, with UBC Okanagan’s Equity and Inclusion Office, said similar to candlelight vigils held in past years, the event will see the names of transgender people who have lost their lives to anti-transgender violence read out followed by a moment of silence. Refreshments will be provided after the ceremony.
Frisque says the ceremony is an opportunity to send a message to transgender students and staff, and to the Okanagan’s transgender community in general, that Kelowna recognizes that transphobia exists, that violence against transgender people exists, and that there is still a lot of work to do to end that violence,
She said building a community takes time and takes commitment by all members to speak out against violence and to work collectively to create respectful spaces where everyone feels included and dignified.
