Transgender Day of Remembrance is coming up, recognized internationally on Wednesday November 20^th, 2024.

Each year we ask that you hold in your hearts the lives of gender diverse and trans individuals, each year we say, “Now more than ever,” and this year is the same.

On this day communities across the world hold vigil and commemorate trans and non-binary individuals who have died because of transphobia and anti-trans violence. In 1998 a Black trans woman, Rita Hester was murdered, just two days before her 35th birthday. Ever since, November 20th has been a day to pay respect and remember transgender and gender-diverse victims of anti-trans violence.

Egale Canada’s national report, Still in Every Class in Every School, shows that 2SLGBTQI students continue to face homophobia, biphobia, and transphobia at school. This reality in our schools is in addition to the undeniable rise in anti-2SLGBTQI hate across Canada and around the world.

Building a safer community through celebrating "Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combinations" (a motto from Star Trek that represents the belief that diversity is a key part of a better future), can provide the space for all individuals to live, learn and work in a community of belonging and inclusion.

3 moments on campus:

1. Join campus members as we take time to remember the lives lost and celebrate trans joy. Find helpful resources, make a pronoun pin, learn about leaders in the gender expansive community.
   
   BAC in front of the Library from 11AM until 1:00PM

2. Acadia Pride is hosting an open space for people to come reflect and write messages of support for the Transgender, Two-Spirit, and gender diverse communities from 4pm – 5pm.
   
   WU welcome Centre Reflection: 4-5pm
   
   
3. Following the reflection space, Acadia Pride is hosting a CLOSED space specifically for members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community to hold a vigil.

4 Things you can do to celebrate Trans Joy:

1. Share your own pronoun when you meet new people.
   
   Did you know that the simple act of using someone’s correct pronoun and name is suicide prevention? Read that again. Using someone’s correct pronoun, and name, has such a strong positive effect on their mental health, that research shows that it might deter them from dying by suicide. Learn people’s pronouns, offer your pronouns and ask for theirs.
   
   A simple, my name is X, and my pronouns are they/her, she/they, she/her, he/him, he/they, they/them/theirs, ze/zer/zers, will suffice.

2. Read the Book ! ROAR by Shelley Thompson (pick one up from Polly or Brent).
   
   
3. Bring the Book to get signed at the upcoming Movie Screening
   
   Hosted by the Office of Teaching and Learning and the Equity office, we are pleased to bring this opportunity to celebrate Trans Awareness Week by offering a film-screening of the new film Dawn, her dad & the tractor by acclaimed writer and director Shelley Thompson on November 22^nd from 2 – 5pm in BAC 244.
   
   All Faculty, Staff and Students are invited and encouraged to attend!
   
   Dawn, her dad & the tractor is a powerful story of fierce allyship, enduring love, and of gentle hope as a family journeys through grief and estrangement to become catalysts for change in their rural community in Nova Scotia.
   
   Writing and producing the film inspired Shelley to write a novel titled Roar, which is a moving debut novel that draws on Shelley’s own experience as the mother of a trans child and a fierce activist for the trans community. Shelley has graciously agreed to join us for a Q&A following the screening of the film! So, if you like reading, come get a copy of ROAR signed by Shelley! ROAR by Shelley Thompson If you like films, come watch a great movie! Dawn, her dad & the tractor
   
   And if you like popcorn, it will be there!

4. Take an online training!

Online Education Opportunities:

1. Nov 18, 2024, 06:00 PM
   
   Calling People In At Work to Build Respectful and Inclusive Culture
   
   Register here
   
   Creating a respectful and inclusive workplace is essential for fostering a positive and productive environment. In this interactive workshop, we'll start by exploring what disrespectful behavior, harassment, and conflict can look like and understand some of why they occur. We’ll then distinguish between “calling out” and “calling in,” and learn how to “call in” using Right To Be’s CARE Methodology: Connect on the issues directly with respect Acknowledge the impact of the behavior Resolve the issue through constructive dialogue Engage with how to move forward better By the end of this workshop, you'll be equipped with actionable strategies and real-world practice to foster a more respectful and supportive workplace.
   
   
2. Nov 19, 2024 06:00 PM
   
   Bystander Intervention for Educators
   
   Register Here
   
   In response to the rise in bullying and violence in schools, we have adapted the 5Ds of bystander intervention training for teachers in K-12 schools. Scholarship on bullying and violence in schools indicates that when teachers model bystander intervention students are significantly more likely to safely and effectively intervene when witnessing bullying. This 60-minute, interactive training will teach K-12 teachers, staff, and administrators the methodology behind our 5D’s of Bystander Intervention for their unique workplace - school settings. The training starts by talking about the types of disrespect that these school stakeholders are facing right now at school using a tool we call the “Spectrum of Disrespect.” You’ll learn what to look for and the positive impact that bystander intervention can have on individuals, schools, and communities, using our 5Ds of Bystander Intervention methodology: distract, delegate, document, delay, and direct; and how to prioritize your own safety while intervening. We’ll have time at the end to practice school-based work scenarios with the 5 Ds, and you’ll leave feeling more confident intervening the next time you see disrespect happening within the workplace of a school setting.
   
   
3. Nov 21, 2024 05:30 PM
   
   Draw the Line Against Transphobic Violence (21 Nov 2024)
   
   Register here
   
   Draw the Line Against Transphobic Violence is a free, 90-minute, instructor-led webinar that will help participants recognize harmful dynamics, and build skills for fostering cultures of consent, gender inclusion, and healthier relationships overall. This session is designed for students, educators, administrators, and staff in both secondary and post-secondary schools in Canada. Join us in creating awareness that leads to action. When we empower students, staff, and educators to take steps towards allyship, we can build inclusive schools. https://egale.ca/awareness/draw-the-line-atv/
   
   
4. Stand up against street harassment!
   
   Nov 26, 2024 12:00 PM
   
   Join Canada’s very own Julie S Lalonde for this amazing training!
   
   It starts by taking action right now. Join us for a one-hour, interactive, virtual training to learn how to intervene when you see harassment happening. We’ll talk about what harassment looks like — from microaggressions to violence — and how Right To Be's 5D’s of bystander intervention can help: distract, delegate, document, delay, and direct. We’ll also talk about how to prioritize your own safety while intervening and how to respond if you get harassed. We’ll have time at the end for practice, and you’ll leave feeling more confident intervening the next time you see street harassment!

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To the Trans* community, we see you, we love you, we support you. <3

Please enjoy this art by @transpainter

Resources:

• Love Lives Here, A Story of Thriving in a Transgender Family, by Amanda Jetté Knox
• Disclosure Documentary
• Now streaming on Netflix. This is a beautiful documentary about Trans representation in the Media. It’s a great opening documentary for everyone, trigger warning for discussions of violence.
• Trans* in college: transgender students' strategies for navigating campus life and the institutional politics of inclusion
• First spring grass fire, Spoon, Rae
• Gender failure, Spoon, Rae & Coyote, Ivan E.
• Check out the Egale Canada website for more information on ways you can get involved and remember the trans community.
• Legal INFO NS Guide: Moving Beyond the Binary Guide
• Let Me Be Me: a Legal Information Guide to Canada’s Conversion Therapy Ban.

Support Resources:

The Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP) 1 800 387-4765.

The NS Youth Project: https://youthproject.ns.ca/

Our mission is to make Nova Scotia a safer, healthier, and happier place for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender youth through support, education, resource expansion and community development. Counseling: Phone: (902) 429 5429 ext 230, Email: carmel@youthproject.ns.ca

Trans Lifeline 1-877-330-6366 https://translifeline.org/
Trans Lifeline provides trans peer support for the community that’s been divested from police since day one. They're run by and for trans people.

LGBT Youth Line 1-800-268-9688 or text 647-694-4275 https://www.youthline.ca/
Youth Line offers confidential and non-judgemental peer support through telephone, text and chat services. Get in touch with a peer support volunteer from Sunday to Friday, 4:00PM to 9:30 PM.

Acadia Sexualized Violence Response and Education Coordinator, Allison Smith, svrec@acadiau.ca
The SVREC provides support for all members of the Acadia community who have been affected by sexualized violence. The SVREC can help you understand, access, and navigate supports such as counselling, medical services, academic or workplace accommodations, and legal aid. https://www2.acadiau.ca/sexualized-violence.html

Acadia University Counselling Services
Support is available to you through the Acadia University Counselling Centre. To book an appointment call 902-585-1246 or email counselling@acadiau.ca.

NS Mental Health Crisis Line 1-888-429-8167 for this toll free, 24/7 services delivered by the Mental Health Mobile Crisis Team (MHMCT). This provincial service provides crisis intervention for children, youth, and adults experiencing a mental health crisis or mental distress.