A memorial service to recognize transgender people and remember lives lost lost to hatred and violence will be held Monday, Nov. 20, 11 a.m., at UBC91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™s Okanagan campus as part of Kelowna91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™s Transgender Day of Remembrance.

The ceremony will take place at the campus courtyard.

Jenica Frisque, with UBC Okanagan91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™s Equity and Inclusion Office, said similar to candlelight vigils held in past years, the event will see the names of transgender people who have lost their lives to anti-transgender violence read out followed by a moment of silence. Refreshments will be provided after the ceremony.

Frisque says the ceremony is an opportunity to send a message to transgender students and staff, and to the Okanagan91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™s transgender community in general, that Kelowna recognizes that transphobia exists, that violence against transgender people exists, and that there is still a lot of work to do to end that violence,

She said building a community takes time and takes commitment by all members to speak out against violence and to work collectively to create respectful spaces where everyone feels included and dignified.