Transgender Day of Remembrance: Today Matters.
Today, November 20, 2025, we honour Transgender Day of Remembrance, a day dedicated to remembering the transgender and gender-diverse people whose lives have been taken through acts of anti-trans violence. Since beginning in 1999, this day has served as an important reminder of the discrimination, stigma and danger that trans communities continue to face.
This year, Transgender Day of Remembrance comes at a time when transgender youth in Alberta are facing new and serious challenges. The provincial government is moving forward with legislation that affects the safety, privacy and well-being of young people. These changes include:
• Preventing anyone under 16 from accessing gender-affirming care such as puberty blockers and hormone therapy.
• Requiring school staff to inform parents if a student under 18 wishes to use a different name or pronouns. Students under 16 must also have parental permission.
• Requiring parents to opt their children into any classroom content related to sexual health, gender identity or sexual orientation.
• Restricting participation in girls’ and women’s sports to people who were assigned female at birth, and allowing anonymous challenges to athletes’ gender identity.
Why This Matters
These proposed measures directly affect the safety, wellbeing, and basic rights of transgender and gender-diverse people, especially youth. Gender-affirming care, including puberty blockers, is evidence-based, reversible, and often life-saving for young people navigating gender dysphoria. Restricting access can increase distress, worsen mental health outcomes, and push youth into unsafe or unsupported environments.
Forcing school staff to “out” students before they are ready removes young people’s autonomy and can place them at real risk if home is not a safe or affirming place. Many trans youth rely on school as their only supportive environment; policies like these can take that away.
Opt-in requirements for inclusive education limit young people’s access to accurate information about identity, relationships, and wellbeing. This not only isolates queer and trans students but also contributes to stigma, misunderstanding, and bullying.
Restricting sports participation and allowing anonymous accusations targets trans girls and women for scrutiny, policing, and exclusion. It sends a message that trans people are not welcome or trusted in community spaces.
Together, these measures contribute to a climate where trans people face increased discrimination, surveillance, and harm. Trans youth, in particular, deserve safety, dignity, and the opportunity to thrive - just like any other young person. Supporting them means creating environments that honour their identity, respect their privacy, and ensure access to the care and community they need.
Although these laws are being introduced in Alberta, the impacts extend far beyond one province. Policies like these contribute to a climate of fear, misinformation and increased vulnerability for trans people everywhere. They can influence public attitudes, shape national conversations and affect how safe transgender and gender-diverse people feel in their own communities, including here in Labrador West.
So what can we do here at home?
We can make sure our community is one where trans people feel safe, supported and celebrated. That means:
• Speaking up when we hear harmful comments or misinformation.
• Using people’s names and pronouns correctly and modelling that respect for others.
• Standing with trans youth by challenging stigma and supporting affirming care.
• Supporting trans-led organizations, such as Trans Support NL which provides resources, support and advocacy for transgender and gender-diverse people across the province.
• Checking in on the trans people in our lives and reminding them they are valued.
• Creating welcoming spaces in our workplaces, schools and community groups.
• Educating ourselves by reading, listening and learning about trans experiences and rights.
• Voting and advocating for policies that protect gender-diverse people.
Every action counts. By choosing compassion, affirmation and solidarity in our daily lives, we help build a community where trans people can live openly, safely and without fear.
At the Labrador West Status of Women, we stand with transgender and gender-diverse people today and every day. You deserve to feel safe, supported and celebrated.
To those we have lost, we remember you.
To those who are here, we stand with you.
To those fighting for change, we see you.
You are valued. You are loved. You deserve to thrive.
If you or someone you know needs support, please reach out. Our doors are open and we are here to help.
To read more about the legislation in Alberta, you can find the full article here:
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/danielle-smith-alberta-transgender-rights-notwithstanding-clause-9.6983899
