In 2023, there were 321 reports of trans people being murdered around the world, and those are only the deaths we know about. The vast majority of victims were trans women. Most were Black, Indigenous or racialized. Many were killed in their jobs as sex workers.
Despite ongoing hatred, Two-Spirit, trans and non-binary people continue to be at the forefront of social justice movements. In the face of growing and coordinated hate campaigns, CUPE members across the country are joining the fight to defend trans rights. Recently, governments across the country have been playing politics with trans people’s safety. Policy makers in Saskatchewan and New Brunswick are trying to force education workers to out trans and questioning youth, putting them at increased risk for violence and isolation in their homes. In September, Conservative Party of Canada convention delegates supported efforts to ban young people from accessing life-saving gender-affirming care, and to exclude trans women from women’s spaces. CUPE members in all sectors are fighting back.
Trans Day of Remembrance serves as a stark reminder of how much work we still must do. We are committed to continuing to make our workplaces, unions and communities safer for trans people.
What can you do?
Bargaining
Bargain language to advance the rights of trans members. Use our guide: Bargaining Beyond the Binary: A negotiating guide for trans inclusion and gender diversity.
Use CUPE’s checklist on bargaining 2SLGBTQI+ rights.
Check out the Canadian Labour Congress Workers in Transition Guide.
Education
Educate yourself and your members about key trans issues to help make your workplace safer and trans-inclusive. Become an ally for gender diversity, ask for union education courses and human rights presentations in your region.
Invite a trans activist to speak to your local.
Use CUPE educational resources, including our fact sheets on pronouns and Allies on Gender Diversity, share them with other members and your employer.
Read CUPE’s report on making public services safer for 2SLGBTQI+ workers and older adults.
Take action
Participate in Trans Day of Remembrance events in your community.
Challenge transphobic comments and behaviour as well as racism, misogyny, class oppression and other forms of violence towards trans people.
