For the second time in Canadian history, the Ottawa Police Service recognized Trans Day of Remembrance.
On Friday at 6 p.m., a banner was unfurled at police headquarters at 474 Elgin St. It will be displayed until Nov. 21.
Trans Day of Remembrance was created to remember those who have been victims of anti-transgender hatred. Events are held internationally throughout November to commemorate those who have died and raise awareness about hate crimes.
Staff sergeant of diversity and race relations John Medeiros said there was a debriefing after last year’s event to discuss changes and improvements in this year’s ceremony.
“We invited the organizers, we invited community members, we invited Pink Triangle Services,” he said. “We had a discussion about how do we do this event next year so that we become more inclusive.”
Medeiros said they made changes to the banner to say “trans” instead of “transgendered” and changed the timing of the ceremony so it would work around the other remembrance events taking place this weekend.
“I’m optimistic that year after year this event will continue to grow and I’m already starting to see rippling effects with other organizations doing and . . . recognizing Trans Day of Remembrance,” said Medeiros.
Leaders such as Mayor Jim Watson and Police Chief Vern White attended the event, as well as organizers from Pink Triangle Services and trans and queer members of the community.
Watson spoke before the banner was displayed. He said the gathering of members of the Ottawa community for this ceremony represented a “unified front against hatred.”