Transgender Day of Remembrance – Nov. 20, 2024

RNAO recognizes Transgender Day of Remembrance and commemorates the trans, non-binary, Two-Spirit and gender-diverse individuals who have been targeted or lost their lives due to transphobic violence. We celebrate and honour their lives and reflect on how far we have come, yet how much work we still must do. 

We must ensure all persons are treated with dignity and respect. How we identify ourselves, how we express our gender and who we choose to love are universal rights that must be respected by all. There is no place for hatred, discrimination or threats to safety.

As an ally in the fight for inclusion and equality, RNAO joins all those committed to supporting all gender identities and expressions. The evidence shows that people face multiple barriers in society, including lack of access to gender-affirming health care. We stand firm against transphobia, homophobia, systemic racism, aggression, violence and discrimination in all its forms. Many trans people also belong to other intersecting groups that make them unique, for example, they may identify as Black, Indigenous and/or People of Colour. We celebrate the resilience of all trans people and we nurture solidarity and love. 

RNAO recognizes the need for more action. United with our allies – including the Rainbow Nursing Interest Group and the Nursing Students of Ontario – we will continue to advocate for the rights of all transgender persons. To this end, earlier this year RNAO issued an Action Alert demanding that federal Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre stop amplifying ill-informed and hateful rhetoric about trans youth. Our schools must remain focused on creating safe spaces where they can flourish.   

For more information about RNAO’s support and actions on issues affecting 2SLGBTQI+ communities, please visit the 2SLGBTQI+ and RNAO In Focus page.