Transgender Day of Remembrance has been a day of significance for the community for the last 18 years.
The Museum of Liverpool held a wreath-laying service today in memory of those who have suffered and lost their lives in acts of anti-transgender violence.
Around 40 people attended the event at the People’s Republic Gallery on the top floor, and, after the wreaths were brought out, the whole museum had a minute’s silence in memory of those who have died.
Among those who attended and talked at the event was Kate Johnson, a member of staff at the Museum of Liverpool.
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“We really hope by participating in today’s events we can cast a light on what other people go through and lives that are lost because of prejudice and, over time contribute to eradicating that and raising awareness and visibility of transgender people.”
She told JMU Journalism: “Museums represent all of the communities, so we think it’s really important to recognise what transgender people face in the world and that trans-phobia still exists today.
In collaboration with the Tales of the City exhibition, the wreaths will have a place there for the next few days with a sign explaining their significance.
A report released by the Home Office revealed that the North West was third in the number of hate crimes motivated by someone’s transgender lifestyle, with a shocking 159 crimes reported from April 2016 to March 2017.
Following the event, there was a ceremony to raise the transgender flag at Liverpool Town Hall with some representatives of the LGBT community.
A vigil was also held at the Exchange Station in Tithebarn Street.