University of Arkansas Observes Transgender Day of Remembrance Today

Chloe Williams

A Transgender Day of Remembrance will be observed today on campus with a number of events. The Transgender Day of Remembrance is a day to commemorate the lives of transgender people whose lives were lost due to anti-transgender violence.

Events

• Resources and information: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Arkansas Union. Participating organizations including Counseling and Psychological Services, Title IX, LGBTQ-plus Mentorship Program, Safe Zone Allies, University of Arkansas Police Department, and the People Respecting the Individual Differences and Equality (PRIDE) registered student organization.
• Candlelight vigil: 5-6 p.m in the Arkansas Union's International Connections Lounge. 
• Fields of flags will be installed in the lawns of the Northwest Quad, Humphreys Hall, Union Mall and the Greek Theater to visually represent the 283 lives lost.

Transgender Day of Remembrance at the university is a program under the Division of Student Affairs. It is a programmatic collaboration between the Center of Multicultural and Diversity Education, Safe Zone Allies and University Housing.

Preventing Violence

From November 2016 to November 2017, there were 283 recorded cases of transgender individuals who were murdered in 25 countries as a result of transphobia. This day is observed annually on Nov. 20 to memorialize those lives and to draw attention to the hateful violence that is still prevalent and endured by the transgender community. Among the 25 countries, the United States ranked 3rd in the most number of transgender deaths related to transphobic violence.

According to the 2015 National School Climate Survey, 80 percent of transgender students feel unsafe at school because of their gender identity. The verbal harassment that gender non-conforming students experience is higher than their "cisgender"peers (people whose gender identity matches their biological sex at birth) because of their gender expression. This leads to a high percentage of attempted suicide within the trans community, which is at 41 percent.

Transgender Day of Remembrance not only aims to give attention to the violence that pervades in the trans* community but also the circumstances that influence the internal struggles faced by trans* students.

About University Housing. University Housing is a department within the Division of Student Affairs serving a residential community of around 5,700 on-campus students. More than 200 students find employment opportunities with University Housing each year. We offer educational programs that support the success of students and services that help students focus on academics at the University of Arkansas. Living on campus starts with a housing contract.

About the Division of Student Affairs. The Division of Student Affairs supports students in pursuing knowledge, earning a degree, finding meaningful careers, exploring diversity, and connecting with the global community. We provide students housing, dining, health care resources, and create innovative programs that educate and inspire. We enhance the University of Arkansas experience and help students succeed, one student at a time.