Supporting Trans Communities on Transgender Day of Remembrance and Beyond
Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR) is a historically significant and ongoing observance that invites reflection on and honouring the contributions of transgender and non-binary people, while paying tribute to those whose lives have been lost to violence.
Observed each year on November 20th, it began in 1999 as a vigil to honour the memory of Rita Hester, a transgender woman who was killed in 1998. The vigil was initiated by transgender advocate Gwendolyn Ann Smith to commemorate all transgender individuals lost to violence and to reaffirm the importance of creating safer and more inclusive spaces.
Healing, Safety, and Belonging in Psychology
Within the field of psychology, it is understood that healing, mental well-being, and safety are deeply interconnected.
Healing begins with safety, and safety is strengthened by a person’s sense of being seen, respected, and affirmed for who they are.
Transgender Day of Remembrance invites us to pause and honour the transgender and non-binary individuals whose lives have been lost to violence. It also offers an opportunity to deepen our understanding and uplift voices that have been historically pushed to the margins of society.
This day calls on us, as mental health professionals and as a community, to reflect on how we can continue to create spaces that affirm identity, foster belonging, and promote safety with intention.
Health Disparities in the Trans Community
Transgender people have been identified as a health disparity population by the National Institutes of Health due to the higher rates of mental and physical health challenges they face1.
Trans and non-binary individuals face markedly high rates of victimization that lead to deterioration in their mental and physical health.
Large-scale surveys provide insight into these disparities.
The Trans PULSE Canada (2018) Findings explores the experiences of trans and non-binary individuals within the past 5 years2:
- 56% reported “fair or poor” mental health
- 68% experienced verbal harassment
- 42% experienced sexual harassment
- 37% experienced physical intimidation or threats
- 16% experienced physical violence
- 64% avoided more than three public spheres to protect their safety
Similarly, the 2015 U.S. Trans Survey reported that 39% of respondents experienced serious psychological distress within the past month3.
Research also consistently shows higher rates of depression, anxiety, and suicidality among trans individuals compared to cisgender counterparts4.
These mental health outcomes are exacerbated by threats and acts of violence. The data highlights the urgent need to create affirming, safe, and supportive spaces for trans and non-binary individuals.
Creating Safe Spaces: From Offline to Online
Trans and non-binary individuals face high rates of victimization, which can negatively impact both mental and physical health. Over time, they have found spaces of resistance, support, and advocacy through the identification of safe spaces.
With the rise of social media, safe spaces are increasingly found online, offering community and safety in a more accessible format.
In my research exploring personal experiences of safety in online contexts for trans and non-binary people, respondents described safety as expansive, multidimensional, and at times contradictory, with some spaces representing both safety and harm simultaneously5.
The findings highlighted the existence of safety on a spectrum:
- From perceived unsafety due to transphobia and fear of violence
- To neutral spaces for information gathering and sharing
- To perceived safety characterized by community and acceptance
These facets of safety emerged as fluid and contextual, often shifting along the spectrum depending on the situation, space, and individual experiences. Individuals, both intentionally and unintentionally, seek features that create a unique sense of safety tailored to their personal needs.
Action Steps: Supporting Trans and Non-Binary People
Creating affirming and safe spaces is an ongoing, collaborative effort.
Here are six ways clinicians, community members, and allies can actively support trans and non-binary individuals:
1. Keep Learning and Reflecting
Continuously educate yourself about gender diversity, intersectionality, and systemic oppression. Reflecting on your own identities, privileges, and assumptions helps recognize how they shape interactions and the environments you contribute to.
2. Honour Names, Pronouns, and Identities
Using a person’s chosen name and pronouns consistently communicates respect. Correct mistakes respectfully and remain open to evolving identities. Honouring identity is a fundamental step toward creating safe, affirming spaces.
3. Validate Lived Experience and Promote Agency
Actively listen and affirm emotions without judgment. Supporting individuals in making choices about their own lives fosters autonomy and empowerment, counteracting the marginalization many trans and non-binary people face.
4. Create Safe and Inclusive Spaces
Safety is multidimensional, encompassing both physical and emotional aspects. Accessible spaces with gender-neutral forms, affirming imagery, and supportive norms signal care and respect. Establish environments where people feel welcomed, seen, and able to engage without fear. Actively collaborate and center the voices of trans and non-binary voices to intentionally create safety that is individualized.
5. Advocate for Systemic Change
Individual actions matter, but fostering true safety requires addressing structural barriers. Challenge discrimination, support inclusive policies, and amplify the work of trans-led organizations to extend affirmation beyond personal interactions.
6. Build Connection and Practice Ongoing Allyship
Healing and empowerment thrive in community. Collaborate with, learn from, and celebrate the resilience of transgender and non-binary people. Allyship is ongoing: listen, take direction from those with lived experience, and remain accountable for continued growth and action.
By implementing these steps, we can create environments that honour, affirm, and protect trans and non-binary lives.
Resources for Support and Learning
- TransOntario.org
- Advocates for the rights of transgender individuals, building inclusive communities, and providing vital resources for everyone in Ontario.
- Pflag Canada (https://pflagcanada.ca/)
- Offers peer support, education and advocacy for 2SLGBTQIA+ people, their families, and allies across Canada
- The Trevor Project (https://www.thetrevorproject.org/)
- Provides 24/7 crisis intervention and suicide prevention for LGBTQ+ youth, conducts research into LGBTQ+ mental health, offers education and training for allies and youth‑serving adults, and advocates for inclusive policies and laws
Acknowledgment and Reflection
As a cisgender woman, I recognize that I do not experience the challenges faced by transgender and non-binary individuals firsthand.
My understanding and growth have been profoundly shaped by the clients I have had the privilege to work with, whose experiences, resilience, and courage continue to teach me how to be a more informed and actively engaged ally.
I am committed to ongoing learning, reflection, and action to support safety, affirmation, and empowerment within the communities I serve.
About The Author, Dr. Ananya Sharma
Dr. Ananya Sharma (Psy.D.) is a Clinical Psychologist (Supervised Practice), under the supervision of TPC’s Clinic Director and Clinical Psychologist Dr. Saunia Ahmad.
She provides culturally attuned, feminist-informed therapy to individuals and couples, drawing from evidence-based approaches such as CBT, DBT, mindfulness, and humanistic methods. Her areas of focus include depression, anxiety, OCD, trauma, relationship challenges, and identity exploration.
Dr. Ananya works in English, Hindi, and Punjabi, and brings a deep respect for lived experience, social justice, and multicultural contexts to her practice.
References
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2024, June 20). Minority Health and Health Disparities Definitions. National Institute of Minority Health and Health Disparities. https://www.nimhd.nih.gov/resources/understanding-health- disparities/minority-health-and-health-disparities-definitions.html
- Bauer, G. R., Scheim, A., Churchill, A. (2020, November 10). Health and well‐being among trans and non‐binary Canadians: First results from Trans PULSE Canada [Presentation]. 2020 WPATH Annual Conference. Trans PULSE Canada. https://transpulsecanada.ca/results/wpath-2020-trans-pulse-canada-health-and-well-being/
- James, S. E., Herman, J. L., Rankin, S., Keisling, M., Mottet, L., & Anafi, M. (2016). The Report of the 2015 U.S. Transgender Survey. Washington, DC: National Center for Transgender Equality.
- Coleman, E., Radix, A. E., Bouman, W. P., Brown, G. R., de Vries, A. L., Deutsch, M. B., Ettner, R., Fraser, L., Goodman, M., Green, J., Hancock, A. B., Johnson, T. W., Karasic, D. H., Knudson, G. A., Leibowitz, S. F., Meyer-Bahlburg, H. F., Monstrey, S. J., Motmans, J., Nahata, L., … Arcelus, J. (2022). Standards of care for the health of transgender and gender diverse people, version 8. International Journal of Transgender Health, 23(sup1). https://doi.org/10.1080/26895269.2022.2100644
- Sharma, A. (2025). Qualitative Analysis of Experiences of Transgender People in Online Safe Spaces [Doctoral dissertation, Indiana University of Pennsylvania]. ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global.