It was a solemn afternoon at Humber as we recognized members of the Trans community that we have lost.
It started off with a note of remembrance where members of the community and the LGBTQ+ Resource Centre commemorated the day and told the audience why people gathered.
This was followed by a beautiful performance by Solar Siriano and the reading of the names to memorialize those who have been murdered as a result of transphobia.
The name-reading went on for about 30 minutes, and many in the audience broke down. It was an emotional moment for those present.
The speaker was moved to tears mid-speech and was unable to continue the ceremony on their own.
The LGBTQ+ Resource Centre organized the memorial service, where attendees could write the names or messages of remembrance and recognition for the ones no longer among us.
Trans Day of Remembrance is on Nov. 20, a day that commemorates how far the community has come and acknowledges the ongoing fight and challenges still present.
One of the first things some people want to do when they begin their transition is change their name.
Avery Patterson is a second-year media communications student at The University of Guelph Humber, who lives in residence at North Campus.
Patterson identifies as non-binary. They said cost is a concern for an official name change.
“In Ottawa, it's about $300 to $500 for the first name change and up to $4,000 for everything involving name change fees,” they said.
Patterson said they feel it's easier to change names socially than legally.
The process of changing a name through Humber is free, by notifying the Registrar’s office, and legal documentation isn’t needed. But Patterson said it can be a hassle.
“You have to go in person, and you get a new email, but they don't transfer over all of your stuff with your program and finance stuff, so currently I don't know how much is on my meal plan,” they said.
Michael, a 21-year-old design and programming student from Ontario who is in his second year at Nova Scotia Community College, stays at nearby Mount Saint Vincent University because the college does not have a residence.
His case is different from Patterson’s. He described his name change process as “long and complicated.
“I started the process about a year ago. I printed all the paperwork; it was extensive. You had to have a notary. If you make even one small mistake, you must get the notary to sign off,” he said.
“I remember I was about halfway through it and then I made a small mistake, and I was just like it's over, because I didn’t want to have to do the process all over again,” he said.
Michael, who didn't want his last name used out of safety concerns, saw a poster for a change your name event in his residence.
“I thought, ‘Oh, change my name through the school, that’s great!’ It was just talking about what you have to do. Which is where I found out you have to get your fingerprints done,” he said.
Michael felt fingerprints were invasive.
“I never really wanted to have my fingerprints in the system or anything like that, so when I found out, I was kind of shocked,” he said
“It’s a lot of work, and it's very easy to make a mistake. That's mainly why I haven't really started the process again, even though I really need to,” Michael said.
Should schools consider implementing programs to help students with the legal name change?
“It would be really helpful and convenient, I think, if it were more hands-on instead of just telling you, 'Here, go do this,'” Michael said.
Connecting with the community can also be difficult. It can be hard to find people you are comfortable with in a new space.
When it comes to queer spaces, Michael said he is having trouble finding his footing.
"It's good here at MSVU. They have a lot of spaces,” Michael said. “It's always been known as an accepting place, which is why they have a club, but even still, the meeting didn't have many people there.”
At Humber, the LGBTQ+ Resource Centre is in Room E140 beside the Lecture Theatre at North campus and is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday for drop-ins. At the Lakeshore campus, it is in the Wellness Centre in Room WEL211.
For Trans Remembrance this year, the Centre is hosting an event at the LRC on North campus. All campuses will fly the trans flag at half-mast to honour the trans people lost to violence.
Alex Little, a third-year biomedical science student at Humber, works in the LGBTQ+ Resource Centre and said it will host a candlelight vigil on Nov. 20 from 1:30 to 3 p.m.
Little said they have a special connection to the day, “seeing all the trans people who decided to live their lives even with the face of violence and be themselves really gave me the courage to come out.”
They will attend the ceremony on behalf of themselves and the centre.
“It's meaningful work to me, it’s the most meaningful job I've ever had,” they said.
Little said one reason why they chose to study at Humber was the community.
“When I was deciding what college to go to, Humber was the only one that advertised their Resource Centre, so I decided a community was something that was very important to me,” they said. “I could get a biotech degree anywhere, but having people who had my back was very important to me.”
Their journey started with finding community.
“I came to Humber, made a home in the LGBTQ Resource Centre and then decided in my second year that I'd apply and see what happened,” they said.
It worked out in Little’s favour. On Thursday’s Day of Remembrance, they will give a speech and have their artwork displayed at the ceremony.
With files by Reet Arora and Luis Miguel De Castro
