Last night saw Ireland mark Transgender Day of Remembrance as groups attended events to mourn the lives lost to transphobic violence. The evening saw members of This Is Me, TENI and Trans Pride Dublin gather for vigils, ceremonies and demonstrations.

Transgender Day of Remembrance is observed globally on November 20 to draw attention to the continued violence and struggle endured by the transgender community.

At a demonstration organised by This is Me – Transgender Healthcare Campaign Ireland, attendees lined pairs of shoes outside Leinster House to represent the death of trans people in Ireland. This is Me are a grassroots organisation demanding adequate, safe and best practice for healthcare for transgender and non-binary people in Ireland.

Noah Halpin, from This is Me spoke about the impact of the shoe display saying, “Each pair of shoes is to represent a person that we have lost. A silent vigil can be more impactful than shouting sometimes.”

Following the demonstration, TENI (Transgender Equality Network Ireland) held a remembrance ceremony at the Unitarian Church in Dublin.

Transgender Day of Remembrance was also marked by students at Trinity College Dublin, who gathered at the university’s Rose Garden to remember the lives of trans people in Ireland.

The evening concluded with a protest at the Spire organised by Trans Pride Dublin.

Ollie Bell from Trans Pride spoke about the importance of remembering the lives of trans people, as well as the need to lobby with the government for measures to prevent anti-trans violence: “Today is a day we mourn the people who have passed away. Many people feel it’s a time to get active, it’s a time to get angry.

“After this, Trans Pride Dublin has organised a protest at the Spire and it’s really important to have silence and mourn for the dead, but it’s really important to recognise that these people were murdered by a system in which anti-trans violence is prevalent, so we think it’s important to mourn the dead and fight like hell for the living.”