CMHA Ottawa honours Transgender Day of Remembrance

Nov 20, 2024

At CMHA Ottawa, we recognize that the violence faced by two-spirit, trans, and non-binary individuals is not a thing of the past—it is an urgent and ongoing crisis. On Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR), we mourn those whose lives were lost to anti-trans violence while acknowledging the persistent systemic barriers and discrimination these communities endure today.

The Reality of Anti-Trans Violence

The statistics are staggering. According to the 2SLGBTQI+ Action Plan Survey, 39% of 2SLGBTQI+ Canadians have experienced violence due to discrimination in the past five years. Alarmingly, this includes:

• 63% of Two-Spirit individuals and 54% of trans women reporting experiences of physical and sexual violence.
• 67% of trans women and 55% of trans men considering personal safety risks when deciding how to present in public.
• 91% of victims do not report incidents to the police due to mistrust and fear of inaction.

In Ontario, 40% of 2SLGBTQI+ individuals report experiencing violence or discrimination related to their identities.

Mental Health Impacts

Two-spirit, trans, and gender-diverse individuals face higher rates of mental health challenges, with 30% reporting fair or poor mental health, compared to fewer than 10% of non-2SLGBTQI+ individuals. Unfortunately, only 17% of 2SLGBTQI+ Ontarians have access to specialized mental health services.

Barriers like discrimination in healthcare settings, a lack of culturally safe and affirming spaces, and social stigma exacerbate these challenges. For example, 21% of trans individuals in Ontario avoid emergency care during crises due to fear of mistreatment.

A Community of Resilience

Despite these barriers, the 2 Spirit, trans, and non-binary communities continue to demonstrate resilience, advocacy, and strength. TDOR is not only a day of mourning but also a call to action for allies to stand in solidarity and push for systemic change.

How You Can Support

1. Educate Yourself and Others: Learn about the unique challenges faced by gender-diverse individuals and share this knowledge.
2. Advocate for Inclusive Policies: Push for affirming and culturally safe mental health services.
3. Amplify Voices: Support organizations and initiatives led by 2SLGBTQI+ communities.

Resources for Support

• LGBT Youthline: Peer-led support for 2SLGBTQI+ youth across Ontario.
• The Trevor Project: Crisis support for 2SLGBTQI+ youth.
• Rainbow Health Ontario: Training and resources for affirming healthcare.
• Trans Wellness Ontario: Mental wellness support for 2SLGBTQI+ individuals.

Terminology Matters

Using affirming names and pronouns is a simple but powerful way to show respect and support. It’s about acknowledging identity and challenging harmful norms.

Honouring Lives, Building Futures

This TDOR, let’s commit to creating a safer, more inclusive world for 2 Spirit, trans, and gender-diverse individuals. Together, we can confront transphobia, amplify marginalized voices, and ensure everyone can live free from fear and violence.

References:

• Federal 2SLGBTQI+ Secretariat. (2021). 2SLGBTQI+ Action Plan Survey Findings. Government of Canada: https://www.canada.ca/en/women-gender-equality/free-to-be-me/federal-2slgbtqi-plus-action-plan/survey-findings/quick-stats.html
• https://www.canada.ca/en/women-gender-equality/free-to-be-me/federal-2slgbtqi-plus-action-plan/survey-findings/lgbtq2-action-plan-safety-justice.html
• https://www.canada.ca/en/women-gender-equality/free-to-be-me/federal-2slgbtqi-plus-action-plan/survey-findings/lgbtq2-action-plan-safety-justice.html
• https://www.canada.ca/en/women-gender-equality/free-to-be-me/federal-2slgbtqi-plus-action-plan/survey-findings/lgbtq2-action-plan-safety-justice.html
• https://www.canada.ca/en/women-gender-equality/free-to-be-me/federal-2slgbtqi-plus-action-plan/survey-findings/lgbtq2-action-plan-safety-justice.html
• Platt, L. F., Wolf, J. K., & Scheitle, C. P. (2018). Patterns of mental health care utilization among sexual orientation minority groups. Journal of Homosexuality, 65(2), 135-153. https://doi.Org/10.1080/00918369.2017.1311552
• Steele, L. S., Daley, A., Curling, D., Gibson, M. F., Green, D. C., Williams, C. C., & Ross, L. E. (2017). LGBT identity, untreated depression, and unmet need for mental health services by sexual minority women and trans-identified people. Journal of Women’s Health, 26(2), 116-127. https://doi.org/10.1089/jwh.2015.5677
• Bettergarcia, J., Matsuno, E., & Conover, K. J. (2021). Training mental health providers in queer affirming diversity, 8(3), 365–377. https://doi.org/10.1037/sgd0000514
• Sherman, A. D., Clark, K. D., Robinson, K., Noorani, T., & Poteat, T. (2020). Trans* community connection, health, and well-being: A systematic review. LGBT Health, 7(1), 1-14. https://doi.org/10.1089/lgbt.2019.0014
• Curlew, A. (2019, August 20). Transgender hate crimes are on the rise even in Canada. The Conversation. https://theconversation.com/transgender-hate-crimes-are-on-therise-even-in-canada-121541
• https://www.canada.ca/en/women-gender-equality/free-to-be-me/federal-action-2slgbtqi-communities/facts-stats.html
• https://www.canada.ca/en/women-gender-equality/free-to-be-me/federal-2slgbtqi-plus-action-plan/survey-findings/health-wellbeing.html
• Bauer, G. R., Scheim, A. I., Pyne, J., Travers, R., & Hammond, R. (2015). Intervenable factors associated with suicide risk in transgender persons: A respondent driven sampling study in Ontario, Canada. BMC Public Health, 15(1), 525. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-015-1867-2
• Salway, T., Ross, L. E., Fehr, C. P., Burley, J., Asadi, S., Hawkins, B., & Tarasoff, L. A. (2019). A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Disparities in the Prevalence of Suicide Ideation and Attempt Among Bisexual Populations. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 48(1), 89111. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-018-1150-6
• https://www.canada.ca/en/women-gender-equality/free-to-be-me/federal-action-2slgbtqi-communities/facts-stats.html
• https://www.canada.ca/en/women-gender-equality/free-to-be-me/federal-action-2slgbtqi-communities/facts-stats.html
• https://www.canada.ca/en/women-gender-equality/free-to-be-me/federal-action-2slgbtqi-communities/facts-stats.html
• Giblon, R., Bauer, G. R. (2017). Health care availability, quality, and unmet need: a comparison of transgender and cisgender residents of Ontario, Canada. BMC health services research, 17(1), 283. BioMed Central Open. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-017-2226-z
• GLAAD. Transgender Day of Remembrance: https://glaad.org/tdor/#:~:text=Transgender%20Day%20of%20Remembrance%20(TDOR,acts%20of%20anti%2Dtransgender%20violence.
• Ontario Human Rights Commission. Questions about gender identity and pronouns: https://www.ohrc.on.ca/en/questions-and-answers-about-gender-identity-and-pronouns
• Ontario Human Rights Commission. Questions about gender identity and pronouns: https://www.ohrc.on.ca/en/questions-and-answers-about-gender-identity-and-pronouns
• Human Rights Campaign Foundation. Transgender and Non-Binary People FAQ: https://www.hrc.org/resources/transgender-and-non-binary-faq#:~:text=Non%2Dbinary%20is%20an%20identity,all%20non%2Dbinary%20people%20do.
• Re:Searching for 2SLGBTQA+ Health. Two-Sprit Community: https://www.lgbtqhealth.ca/two-spirit-community