Trans day of remembrance 2025: A poignant reminder of lives lost 

Hundreds gathered in Sackville Gardens last month to pay tribute to trans lives which have been lost across the past year.

The event, organised by Manchester Trans Organisations Network, was filled with poignant stories of survivors and those who have lost their loved ones. 

Gemma Hastings, 34, who was part of the volunteer group, said: “It’s very important for the community to come together, really. It’s a special day, it’s emotionally a very heavy day because it’s remembrance day, the lives we’ve lost in the last year and in the community as a whole.

“I think it’s really important to have this community-driven event, a grass-roots event that’s put on entirely by volunteers to bring our community together.”

The evening started with tributes from loved ones of the deceased, followed by trans speakers. One of these was Sister Polly, who spoke about the discrimination she faced as a trans woman while working at a school in Lancashire. 

“We are in a situation where people are being grounded, not being allowed to express themselves professionally or emotionally,” Polly said.

Many attendees were quick to point out the rise in anti-trans rhetoric globally and how it affected them. Rachel Demott, 21, a journalism student, said it was crucial in times like these to show solidarity with the trans community. 

“We have seen the rise in transphobia across the globe, it’s never been more crucial. Especially with the rise of the far-right, as well,” Rachel said.

“The whole thing with trans kids and the stigmatisation of trans kids and it’s like these kids are figuring out who they are and we should be there to support them. It’s just solidarity with our trans comrades.”

Later on in the evening, volunteers were asked to read out the names of 281 trans people who died last year. It was followed by a minute’s silence and a round of applause in remembrance.

Trans attendees, who were present to pay their tributes, said they felt marginalised in the community because of their perceived differences. Poppy Riley, a trans woman, said: “It’s not easy being different. The hatred, the prejudice. The fact that we do not fit in one of society’s boxes and it’s very difficult to label us. I’m happy to be me; that’s the most important thing.”

When asked what support local councils could provide for the community, Poppy said: “A lot more than they’re doing. Personally, I find them lacking. You’re very much on the fringes of the mainstream, at best.

“Even though we’re a minority, we’re very vocal. And I would stand up for my trans brothers and sisters, no matter what the consequences.”

Other attendees had a similar view. “Listen to them. Listen to what they’re going through. If they have issues and the councils aren’t addressing them, then they should be listening,” said Rachel.

“With the media especially recently, there’s further stigmatisation and demonising an already marginalised group. We just need to be as vocal as we can be.”

The event came together through a collaboration between six charities working to serve the trans community in the UK. These include Not a Phase, The Proud Place, Rainbow Noir, Sparkle, Trans Mutual Aid Manchester, and Trans Pride Manchester⁠.