OTTAWA- Today, on the International Trans Day of Remembrance, New Democrats join members of the transsexual and trangender communities, their, families, friends, coworkers and allies to remember victims of transphobic violence, hate and prejudice.

“Trans people routinely face violence and discrimination in the workplace, in health care and even in obtaining housing and identity documents,” said Bill Siksay, New Democrat Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transsexual and Transgender critic (Burnaby-Douglas). “I believe that explicit protection in the Canadian Human Rights Act (CHRA) and our Criminal Code will go a long way to counter this discrimination and move towards full acceptance and equality for transgender and transsexuals.”

“That is why I introduced Bill C-389, to add protection for transgender and transsexual Canadians to the CHRA by adding gender identity or expression to the list of prohibited grounds of discrimination. The bill also adds gender identity and expression to the hate and sentencing provisions in the Criminal Code,” stated Siksay. “That ensures that transphobic violence is identified as a hate crime, and sentences can be determined accordingly.”

Siksay’s Private Member’s Bill is likely to be debated in the House of Commons early in the new year. A similar bill was introduced in Ontario at Queen’s Park on November 19, by NDP MPP Cheri DiNovo (Parkdale High Park). Her bill would add gender identity to Ontario Human Rights Code.

Transgender Day of Remembrance memorializes those killed due to their gender identity and expression. The first memorial was a candlelight vigil held in November 1999 to honour Rita Hester, murdered in 1998. Since then, annual memorials have been observed around the world. “This day provides us with an opportunity to challenge our assumptions and remember that trans Canadians are members of our families, our co-workers, neighbours and friends,” concluded Siksay.

New Democrats stand in solidarity with trans Canadians on this day and in their ongoing struggle for full human rights and equality.