For Trans Day of Remembrance 2021, Transgender Victoria is partnering with Yarra Libraries and The Ewing Trust to hold a virtual stream event – bringing us together even though we may be apart.

Join us online on Saturday 20 November at 6pm for this special event commemorating and observing this day of mourning, reflection and togetherness, featuring a short vigil, readings and performances by Nevo Zisin and Amao Leota Lu, and hosted by Mama Alto, CEO of Transgender Victoria.

This event is streamed from Wurundjeri country - we acknowledge country, culture, language, and Elders past and present, as well as emerging leaders. Always was, always is and always will be Aboriginal land.

Connecting community

We are holding a digital event this year as some gathering limitations will still be in place on November 20 and we want to be sure that everyone can attend. In place of being in person we have two ways to help foster feelings of connection and togetherness. We invite community members to:

1. Nominate trans, gender diverse and non-binary community members in Birrarunga / Naarm / Melbourne to receive one of 100 care packages put together by Yarra Libraries, The Ewing Trust and TGV. The nomination form can be found here.

2. Contribute items for inclusion in the vigil – these may be written words, poems, letters, images, artworks, flowers or candles. Instructions for digital and physical submission, along with consent forms can be found here.

Please submit your nominations and your item contributions by Tuesday 16 November.

Our care packages are supported by the Ewing Trust, Yarra Libraries, LOVE Tea, LUSH and Inspired Creations by Tash.

About TDOR

Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR), held annually on November 20, honours the memory of trans, gender diverse and non-binary lives lost due to anti-trans violence and discrimination. It is a time when our trans communities come together in solidarity, connection and observation of shared grief, and of recognition of the discriminations we must continue to fight. TDOR began as a vigil held in 1999 in the USA commemorating the death of Rita Hester, a trans woman of colour killed in Boston in 1998, and has since grown into a movement of memorialisation and awareness building towards change for a brighter future.


About TGV

TGV is Victoria’s leading body for trans and gender diverse advocacy.

We work to achieve justice, equity and inclusive service provision for trans and gender diverse people, their partners, families and friends. https://tgv.org.au


About the presenters and artists

Amao Leota Lu (she/her) is a Samoan fa’afafine, performance artist, poet and community activist.

Instagram: @amaoleotalu

Mama Alto (she/her) is a singer, performer, artist and community worker, and is the current CEO of Transgender Victoria.

Instagram: @mama.alto

Nevo Zisin (they/them) is a queer, non-binary, Jewish writer, performer, activist and public speaker.

Instagram: @nevozisin

Web: nevozisin.com


About Yarra Libraries and The Ewing Trust

Yarra Libraries operates five public libraries within the City of Yarra and provides a rich collection of digital and print resources, an extensive calendar of programs and events and an all-inclusive and welcoming space to meet and connect. library.yarracity.vic.gov.au

Instagram: @yarralibraries

The Thomas, Samuel and George Ewing Trust is a fund that fosters literacy, libraries, and a lifelong love of learning in the historic Melbourne suburb of Fitzroy.

Fitzroy Library is fortunate to have the continued support of the Ewing Trust endowment that allows for the development and presentation of a range of events and projects for the benefit of Fitzroy residents and visitors.

A Zoom link will be emailed to participants on the day of the event.

If you have accessibility questions or requirements, please contact us at [email protected] or on 1300 695 427.