On a grey, cool morning, the bright pink, blue and white stripes of the transgender flag brightened the sky above 14 Wing Greenwood, as base personnel marked November 20 as Transgender Day of Remembrance.
14 Wing Defence Team Pride Advisory Organization military co-chair Corporal Alexander Anderson welcomed command team and wing members.
“We’re able to remember 392 people today who have been lost in the past year – seven of whom are Canadian,” Anderson said. “We can think for a moment and remember those individuals, and also about the work to be done as we strive to improve respect, awareness and fairness for all.”
Anderson was assisted in raising the flag at the base’s main gate flagpole, and then lowering it to half mast for the day, by 404 (Long Range Patrol and Training) Squadron Lieutenant-Colonel Alex Gignac, the wing’s DTPAO champion.
“These events are important, and it’s important we talk about this – and that the Canadian Armed Forces be seen,” said Gignac. “Spread the word to your people. There are a lot of new faces here this year, and we thank you all for coming out.”
Transgender Day of Remembrance started in 1999, recognizing both the November 1998 murders of Black transgender women Rita Hester and Chanelle Pickett in Massachusetts. It continues annually in honour of transgender people whose lives are lost in acts of anti-transgender violence.
14 Wing Greenwood personnel marked November 20 as Transgender Day of Remembrance, raising the transgender flag at the base’s main gate for the day in honour of transgender people whose lives are lost in acts of anti-transgender violence.
