Friday, 18 November 2016
Every year on November 20 we mark Trans-Memory Day in memory of those who died because of hatred or prejudice against trans to draw attention to transphobic violence and discrimination that continues to In our communities.
Every year since 1999, we look at the names , faces and stories of the deceased.Unfortunately, despite the increased visibility of the trans, the statistics remain appalling.
In 2015, a transgendered person was murdered every 31 hours somewhere in the world. In Canada, the trans community has one of the highest suicide rates in the population, and more than 10% of trans have attempted suicide. Trans persons are also subject to high rates of violence, including sexual, psychological and physical harassment in communities and workplaces.
We all have a role to play in ensuring justice, equality and protection from trans-violence in our workplaces and communities.
Ensuring respect and fair treatment for trans workers is a top priority for trade unions today. Many unions have already won victories on behalf of
Labour Congress of Canada has recently published a practical guide to enable union representatives to support cross members in the workplace before, during and after their gender transition. This year we applauded the federal government announcement that he will appoint a Special Adviser on LGBTQ2.
On Friday, the government passed Bill C-16, An Act to amend the Canadian Human Rights Act of the person and the Criminal Code , which adds gender identity and gender expression to the prohibited grounds. The unions had supported previous bills to protect trans against discrimination and hate crimes. Since Bill C-16 will soon be submitted to the Senate for approval, we hope that these long-awaited protections will materialize soon.
