News / trans pride south west
Pride, protest and remembrance as fight for trans rights continues
A two-minute silence was held on College Green on Saturday to remember the trans people who have lost their lives to violence.
The moment was followed by a march through Bristol city centre with the theme ‘unsafe to be me’ to highlight the transphobia faced by so many.
The rally was held against a backdrop of what campaigners fear is increasing hostility towards trans and gender non-conforming people as crowds turned out to stand in solidarity and call for a more inclusive, accepting society.
is needed now More than ever
“I want my city, this city of Bristol, to be a city of tolerance and inclusivity,” said Kaz, an organiser and member of Trans Pride South West, addressing the people gathered on Saturday.
“It is of great sadness to me, as a trans woman, that we see so much hostility towards the trans community in this country.”
People gathered on College Green to make Trans Day of Remembrance – photo by Tim Maynard
Kaz went on to say: “We exist and we want to live our lives just like everybody else.
“We are now at a crossroads, where we can become a more inclusive and accepting society, or move further to a very dark place. Fascism doesn’t just appear, it sneaks up on you.
“I call on you good people here today to call out transphobia and to be a vocal ally to the trans community.”
A two-minute silence was held on College Green – photo by Tim Maynard
Transgender Day Of Remembrance is held annually on November 20, marking the end of Trans Awareness Week.
It’s a time for the trans community and allies to mourn members of the community who have lost their lives to transphobic violence.
Speakers on College Green included Carla Denyer, a councillor for Clifton Down and co-leader of the Green Party, who highlighted the stark reality of the rise in hate.
“In the UK, the number of reported transphobic hate crimes has quadrupled in the last five years so that two in five trans people – 41 per cent – have experienced a hate crime or incident because of their gender. That is not OK.”
Hate crime against trans people has quadrupled in the last five years – photo by Tim Maynard
A two-minute silence was held on College Green – photo by Tim Maynard
People turned out to stand up for trans rights – photo by Tim Maynard
Main photo by Tim Maynard
Read more: Commemorating Trans Day of Remembrance in Bristol and beyond
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