VICTORIA, B.C. – Sonia Furstenau, MLA for Cowichan Valley, issued the following statement in recognition of the Transgender Day of Remembrance:
“The Transgender Day of Remembrance is held each year to honour the lives and experiences of our transgender neighbours, friends, and family.
“Transgender, non-binary, two-spirit, and intersex individuals experience systemic discrimination and violence in Canada and around the world, simply because of who they are. These experiences of violence are particularly prominent among trans-women, especially trans-women of colour.
“In the ‘Me too’ era there is a growing awareness of gender-based violence in our society. We cannot acknowledge and address this violence without acknowledging the disproportionate impacts of gender-based violence on LGBTQ2+ communities and communities of colour.
“Here in BC, gender identity was recently added to the Human Rights Code and a third gender marker became available on official BC documentation just this month. Last week it was announced that BC will publicly fund gender-affirming surgeries. These are important improvements, but we cannot rest until all transgender people can live in safety.
“Today, as we honour those we have lost, I ask you to recommit to building a future where everyone is free to be who they are without fear of harm or discrimination.”
-30-
Media contact
+1 778-650-0597 | [email protected]