British Columbia has recently made progress in becoming more trans-inclusive, such as adding a third-gender option to identification and improving access to trans gender-affirmative surgery. However, the struggles of trans people, both past and present, remain an ongoing concern.

In September, local South Asian LGBT organization Sher Vancouver announced the completion of the short documentary My Name Was January. The film tells the story of Sher Vancouver's social coordinator, January Marie Lapuz, a transgender woman who was an immigrant of Filipino and Chinese descent from the Philippines and was found murdered in New Westminster in 2012. (The film is currently being submitted to and has been accepted for exhibition in several film festivals.)

A local event will help to raise awareness and honour the lives lost to transphobia and gender-based discrimination and violence.

The Vancouver Trans Week of Resilience has been held from November 14 to 20. (The Trans Day of Resilience began in the U.S. in 2014 to expand upon the scope of the Transgender Day of Remembrance.)

The week will culminate in the 2018 Vancouver Transgender Day of Remembrance that will be held tomorrow (November 20).

A gathering will be held from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m., with a march starting at Carnegie Community Centre (401 Main Street) at 5:30 p.m., followed by a memorial at SFU Harbour Centre (515 West Hastings) at 7 p.m. that will include speakers. For more details, visit the Vancouver Transgender Day of Remembrance Society website. 

In preparation for tomorrow's event, a sign- and banner-making session will be held from 7 to 10 p.m. today (November 19) at Mount Pleasant Neighbourhood House (800 East Broadway).

Meanwhile, Surrey Pride is also holding a Transgender Day of Remembrance ceremony tomorrow (November 20) at 6 p.m. at the White Horse Lounge at the Turf Complex (12411 King George Boulevard, Surrey).

In addition, the January Marie Lapuz Youth Leadership Award is accepting applications from individuals who have made an impact on LGBT communities and beyond. The winner will receive $500 while runners-up will each receive $250.

Applications are due by December 31. For full details, visit the My Name Was January website.