Transgender Remembrance Reflection Spaces

Reflection spaces have been set up for Friday 19 November 2021, in advance of the International Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR). The spaces are open to all colleagues and students.

Every year, between November 13 and 19, Transgender Awareness Week is marked to highlight the challenges facing members of the community, in the lead up to TDOR, which memorialises victims of anti-transgender violence. The Lesbian, Gay, Bi, Trans and Queer (LGBTQ+) Staff Network at the University has highlighted this as an opportunity for reflection and has therefore set up a number of safe spaces across the University, encouraging colleagues and students to take a moment out of their day for quiet reflection and a chance to connect with others to share thoughts, prayers, and stories.

There will be a journal for you to write your thoughts and reflections. Should you not be available to pass one of these spaces on Friday then please email the LGBTQ+ Staff Network (lgbtqplus@brighton.ac.uk) to have your comments printed and added to the journals.

What is TDOR?

“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

TDOR was started by Smith in 1999 as a vigil following the killing of Rita Hester, a transgender woman in 1998. This tradition has been carried on since then, commemorating all the transgender people lost to transphobic violence.

Our pledge

We recently launched our #NeverOK pledge, which builds on the work already underway in continuing to ensure a safe, inclusive and respectful environment for everyone in our community. It represents our commitment to continuing to create a community where harassment and hate are never tolerated – it has no place here and it is Never OK. Everyone should feel safe and accepted. Transphobia and any other form of hate have no place here.

Julie Fryatt, University of Brighton Director of People and UEB LGBTQ+ Equality Champion says:

We, as a university, stand in solidarity with our Trans, Non-Binary and Intersex colleagues, students and the wider community, and condemn all forms of discrimination and hatred. We are committed to advancing equality for all and have a zero tolerance approach to discrimination, victimisation or harassment on the basis of a person’s gender identity. We deplore attacks on the TNBI community and aim to provide a welcoming and supportive environment for staff, students and visitors to be who they are, without fear. 

Getting involved

Visit one of our reflection spaces

See details below to find your closest reflection space by campus:

Moulsecoomb, Mithras House Room G3 – 10am to 4pm
Falmer, Checkland Building Room E513 – 9am to 12noon
City, Grand Parade Room 204 AV presentations – 10am to 4pm

Attend the vigil for Transgender Day of Remembrance

Hosted by Clare Project, Switchboard and TransPride Brighton, the vigil will be taking place on Sunday 21 November 2021, at 2pm, in Jubilee Square, Brighton, BN1 1GE.

Find out more about the TDOR vigil.

Useful links and resources