What is Transgender Day of Remembrance and when is it?
Transgender Day of Remembrance is a yearly observation commemorating the lives of transgender people who have been killed because of anti-transgender violence or suicide because of transphobia. It is an opportunity to highlight the ongoing violence and discrimination experienced by transgender people and for others to stand in solidarity with the transgender community. Transgender Day of Remembrance takes place on Thursday 20 November.
How can I learn more?
To find out more about the history of Transgender Day of Remembrance, you can visit the Amnesty International website. If you would like to broaden your awareness further, you can view the library reading list online and Kent Students’ Union have a LGBTQIA+ Student Voices Report on their website. You can also undertake the Expect Respect module which provides an introduction to equality, diversity and inclusion principles and values at Kent, and how that translates to expectations around behaviour. The University has a guide on inclusive language. The Gender Identity Research & Education Society also works to improve the lives of trans and gender diverse people, and you can look up their training and E-Learning courses.
What is the University doing?
As part of Trans Awareness Week, staff and students are invited to a coffee social on Thursday 20 November, 12-2pm, in the Gulbenkian Café. This is a gentle, welcoming space to meet, connect, and support one another. The event is open to trans staff, allies, and anyone who would like to drop in and share a space together. Later that evening, the Canterbury Trans Network is hosting a Vigil for Trans Day of Remembrance at 7pm in St. Peter’s Methodist Church, Canterbury. This is a space to honour transgender lives lost to violence this past year. This event is open to the Canterbury Trans Network members, Kent students and staff, and transgender people and allies. It is a space to stand together and connect as a community. You can also find out about upcoming events in Medway, by visiting the Rainbows over Medway website.
What support do the University provide?
The University of Kent runs support initiatives for transgender and non-binary students, details of which can be found on our website. This includes details of the Gender Affirmation Fund, which is available to students who identify as transgender, non-binary or gender neutral, and can be used to help support students with the costs of gender affirming items and minor cosmetic procedures.
What other support is there?
The Samaritans support LGBTQ+ communities through a number of ways, including their staff and volunteer LGBTQ+ network. The BeYou Project connects young people in Kent and Medway who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, or questioning their sexual or gender identity. Rainbows over Medway have a list of LGBT+ safe spaces which are businesses they can recommend. Kent County Council also have details of LGBTQ+ support for young people on their website. You can visit Healthwatch Kent to find out about organisations offering specialised mental health advice for people in the LGBTQ+ community. There are also some useful resources listed on the NHS Kent Community Health website. Canterbury Pride have a list of support and resources available on their website and you can visit the Medway Gender Sexual Diversity Centre to find a list of their groups and services.
What groups or networks are there?
There are a number of University societies you can join, including the Transgender and Non-Binary Students Society, LGBTQ+ Society, Queer People of Colour society, the LGBTQ+ Network, and the LGBTQ+ Society (Medway). The Canterbury Trans Network is a mutual aid network and social community open to Transgender, Non-Binary, and Intersex adults (Over 18) and any adults questioning their gender identity. This also includes people considering or going through detransition.
How can I give support?
You can find out ways to support many of the charities, groups and networks listed above by visiting their websites. Not A Phase is also a trans-led, nationwide charity, based in Margate, which is committed to uplifting and improving the lives of trans+ adults, through awareness campaigning, social projects, and funding trans+ lead initiatives. You can also look up Pride events that will be happening in your local area, such as Canterbury Pride and Medway Pride.
How do I report an incident?
You can report an incident such as harassment or bullying through Report + Support. You can either make a named report and speak to an adviser or give an anonymous report.