The 20th of November marks Transgender Day of Remembrance, where we hold memory for those who have lost their lives due to anti-transgender violence. First established in 1999, after the murder of Rita Hester in 1998, it holds ever increasing importance as violence against the transgender community continues to rise at an alarming rate, with sex workers being the most targeted occupational group.
Why is this day important?
“Transgender Day of Remembrance seeks to highlight the losses we face due to anti-transgender bigotry and violence. I am no stranger to the need to fight for our rights, and the right to simply exist is first and foremost. With so many seeking to erase transgender people — sometimes in the most brutal ways possible — it is vitally important that those we lose are remembered, and that we continue to fight for justice.”
Transgender Day of Remembrance founder Gwendolyn Ann Smith
This day holds space for the remembrance of the lives lost to violence but is also a call to action. The fight for equality, dignity and safety for all is far from achieved.
Violence against the transgender community doesn’t only exist in physical acts but also manifests in systems, politics and language that shape our society. It is important to draw attention to the harmful narratives which are normalised parts of many political discussions and media coverage, which fuel stigma and embolden acts of violence. Language has real life consequences.
Vulnerability to violence
Transphobic violence is a global issue, but certain groups are disproportionately affected by higher levels of violence. This includes:
- Trans women and femmes
- Black and brown trans people
- Trans sex workers
- Trans migrants and refugees.
In 2023, 350 transgender and gender diverse people were murdered, which was an increase from the previous year. But these figures only demonstrate a small proportion of the violence that occurs. Due to stigma, discrimination and fear of mistreatment 88% of hate crimes against transgender people in the UK are unreported.
For trans sex workers, the barriers are even greater as stigma against their occupation can make reaching out to the police challenging. This results in a huge amount of violence remaining invisible as it is left unacknowledged and unaddressed.
It is vital to recognise how transphobia intersects with racism, sexism, classism and the stigma to certain occupations, which compound to make some individuals more vulnerable than others to violence. For trans sex workers, this intersection creates further marginalisation within many systems in our society.
Young People
We also know that young trans people can potentially be more vulnerable due to isolation, stigma and lack of information. They may seek out support from online communities, looking for acceptance and validation, and hoping to find a sense of community and friendships. But this opens them up to the dangerous potential of being exploited by perpetrators. Knowing that trans youth are more likely to be isolated, perpetrators identify them as vulnerable and use this to groom them.
Basis Yorkshire – what we do
At Basis Yorkshire, we offer support to sex workers who identify as women or non-binary to end stigma, promote empowerment and create safety.
We also support young people who are experiencing, or have experienced, a form of abuse where they are tricked, bribed or seduced into some form of sexual activity, sometimes without even realising it. This is called child sexual exploitation. It can happen to young people of any age and any gender.
As an organisation, we recognise that experiences and risks of violence and discrimination are not equal, and that those who identify as transgender or non-binary, and those who sex work, often face intersecting forms of marginalisation.
Our work is grounded in the belief that everyone is deserving of dignity, safety and respect, values which are essential to honour and uphold on Transgender Day of Remembrance.
If you or someone you know would benefit from support (sex worker, adult or young person who has experienced or is at risk of sexual exploitation), please contact us:
Call: 0113 243 0036
Email: info-basis@basisyhorkshire.org.uk
Or you can make a Referral if the waiting list is open.