Today WAWG signs a statement in solidarity for Trans Day of Remembrance, below is the statement made public:
Monday November 19, 2018
November 20th is the Trans Day of Remembrance – a day to commemorate the many people killed because of transphobia. On the eve of the Trans Day of Remembrance, we write as feminist activists, parents of trans and non-binary children, former and current anti-violence against women service providers, academics, human rights advocates and individuals who stand in solidarity with all members of the diverse trans communities. We are committed to ending violence against women. We assert that trans rights are human rights and that violence against trans women is a feminist issue. We reject all efforts to marginalize trans women from feminist spaces and to pit feminists against trans people and, in particular, trans women. The anti-trans feminist voices are in the minority amongst feminists but their voices are loud and they resound within a context of backlash against the hard fought wins by equity-seeking groups. Their persistent refusal to acknowledge trans women as women who are entitled to rights, services, support, friendship, love, and allyship is offensive and detrimental to the solidarity that is so necessary to fighting back against regressive politics and divisiveness.
In solidarity,
Dr. Melinda Gough
Dr. Susan Fast
Gender Studies and Feminist Research, McMaster University
Hamilton Regional Indian Centre
Michelle Poirier
Dr. Christine Quail
Sexual Assault Centre (Hamilton and Area)
Vilma Rossi
Meaghan Ross
Woman Abuse Working Group
YWCA Hamilton
Good Shepherd Women’s Services