Ceremonies were held across Canada Friday to mark International Transgender Day of Remembrance, an annual event every Nov. 20, to remember those who have lost their lives to discrimination because of their gender identity.
The Day of Remembrance began in the U.S. in 1999, to memorialize Rita Hester, a well-loved transgender woman who was stabbed to death in her home in Alison, Massachusetts.
It鈥檚 been 17 years since her death and though there have been many advances in bringing acceptance for transgender people since, the violence continues.
In the U.S., for example, 22 transgender people have been murdered so far this year --- including 19 black or Latina transgender women. That compares with just 12 last year and 13 in 2013.
In fact, this year marks the highest death toll since advocacy groups began such tallies a decade ago. That in a year when Caitlyn Jenner brought the transgender struggle into the spotlight with her headline-making transition.
Edmonton transgender advocate Marni Panas says it鈥檚 clear the struggle for acceptance continues.
鈥淭oday, we give a voice to those people who felt when they were alive, they didn't have a voice. And it's so important because our struggles continue this is very real and we need to remember them,鈥� she told CTV Edmonton.
At the University of Winnipeg, speakers read the names of victims of violence and the countries they came from. People also paid tribute to those who have faced anti-transgender hatred or prejudice.
"These people are disfigured and tormented and tortured, for no other reason than being trans,鈥� said Shandi Strong, a trans activist running for the Liberals in the upcoming Manitoba election.
Over the past decade, she said it's inspiring to see more young people speaking out, and more people attending memorials.
Edmonton MLA Estefania Cortes-Vargas, attended the first raising of a trans pride flag at the Alberta legislature, to mark the day of remembrance. She said the day had personal resonance for her.
鈥淚 know personally the difficulty in understanding gender identity, a society that tells you who you are, and who you should be. I know that it takes courage. Those who we are here to remember today had that courage,鈥� she said.
