Trans Day Of Remembrance
Every Transgender Day of Remembrance, we commemorate the trans lives that were lost this year through violence.
Across the world, 2024 has been a year of relentless attacks on trans people making such violence ever more likely. From the disgraceful transphobic explosion of hate towards Imane Khelif (who was a biological woman) to the election of Donald Trump, with his appalling rhetoric regarding trans people which is now becoming mainstream in the United States.
In the United Kingdom, attacks on our trans comrades remains unrelenting. As neoliberal capitalism collapses worldwide from its own contradictions, the far-right has become increasingly emboldened with hatred of the trans, and indeed wider LGBT+ community, becoming something of a cause celebre of the right. This has resulted in Kemi Badenoch, the former equalities minister who refused to ban conversion therapy, being elected as leader of the opposition.
Across the world, the situation seems bleak. The rise of the far-right makes us all less safe. The language and rhetoric now mainstreamed by global political figures seeks to demonise the trans community. We seem to have returned to the bad old days of the 1980s gripped in Gay (now trans) Panic with people justifying their violence, anger and hatred towards the trans community as “protecting” others. In reality, no one needs protecting from trans people. Indeed, trans people face far more violence, of all kinds, than any other group.
This year so far 350 trans people have been murdered, for no other reason than they are trans. More than one a day.
While the picture seems bleak, the resistance of brave groups like Trans Kids Deserve Better shows that all is not lost. The trade unions need to organise to protect all our trans community. It is crucial for us all to stop this hate and reverse the tide – our actions today will influence the future for trans people worldwide.