In memoriam

Trans Day of
Remembrance

Friday, 20 November 2026

Each year we observe Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR), a time for community solidarity and remembrance. We come together to honour the lives of those we have lost to anti-trans violence and discrimination.

About the day

Why we remember

Trans Day of Remembrance (TDoR) is observed every year on 20 November. It began in 1999, when American advocate Gwendolyn Ann Smith held a vigil to honour Rita Hester, a trans woman killed the year before. What started as one vigil is now marked in cities across the world.

TDoR is a day to mourn and to name those we have lost. it is a time to confront the transphobia, violence and discrimination that still takes trans lives, with trans women of colour disproportionately affected.

The vigil · Naarm / Melbourne

Join us at Fitzroy Town Hall

Presented by Transgender Victoria in partnership with City of Yarra and Yarra Libraries, the vigil is a gentle, welcoming space for all ages, including children. All are welcome to join us in this act of remembrance and resilience.

When

Friday 20 November

Doors open 5:30pm and stay open, so come whenever you are able.

Where

Fitzroy Town Hall

Enter through Fitzroy Library, 128 Moor Street, Fitzroy VIC 3065.

Cost

Free

Registration is encouraged, but not required.

5:30pm

Doors open

5:45pm

Speakers and performances begin

7:00 to 8:00pm

Social connection hour, with light refreshments and time to be together as a community

Auslan interpretedLift accessFamily spaceSensory spaceReserved seating on requestAll ages

Melbourne / Naarm

Share a few words

Transgender Victoria will host a vigil in Melbourne on 20th November. It will be a space where our community will gather together, gently hold one another and support each other through our shared grief. If you would like to share a few words, a eulogy, poem, song or anything else, please email us at events@tgv.org.au by 30th October.

From past vigils

A speaker with long curly hair speaking into a microphone on stage at a past Transgender Victoria community event

A speaker in glasses holding a microphone and smiling, in front of a trans flag at a past Trans Day of Remembrance vigil

A speaker reading at the microphone beside a trans flag and a screen showing Trans Day of Remembrance Candlelight, 20 November 2018

A speaker seen from behind, facing a full room of community members at a past vigil

A speaker reading from a page at the microphone, in front of a trans flag and red patterned wallpaper

‹›

Access guide

Know before you go

Everything you need to plan your night, from getting there to finding a quiet space. If you have an access need we haven't covered, email events@tgv.org.au or add it when you register.

Lift access

A lift and stairs go up to the vigil on Level 1

Auslan

The vigil will be Auslan interpreted

Quiet space

A sensory space right next to the main room

Families

A family space, baby change and all ages welcome

All-gender toilets

Accessible toilets on Level 1, for our event only

Seating

Chairs provided, with reserved seating on request

Getting there Finding the entrance Inside the venue Toilets Food and drink Finding help Access requests

Getting there

Fitzroy Library entrance, 128 Moor Street, Fitzroy VIC 3065

The vigil is held in Fitzroy Town Hall, and we are using the Fitzroy Library entrance on the Moor Street side of the building.

By tram

Route 11: get off at Stop 14, Hanover St (from the city) or King William St/Brunswick St (towards the city). It is about a 4 minute walk.

Route 86: get off at Stop 18, Hodgson St/Smith St. It is about a 6 minute walk.

By taxi or rideshare

Set your drop-off to 128 Moor Street, Fitzroy VIC 3065.

By car

Free on-street parking is available nearby. Many time-limited spots on the side streets become unlimited from 6pm.

Accessible parking

There are two accessible parking spaces on Condell Street, behind Fitzroy Town Hall.

By bike or scooter

There are bike racks directly outside the library entrance on Moor Street.

Map of the streets around Fitzroy Town Hall, showing the Fitzroy Library entrance on Moor Street, the 11 and 86 tram routes, and accessible parking on Condell Street

The Moor Street entrance, nearby tram routes and accessible parking on Condell Street.

Finding the entrance and getting upstairs

Head to the Fitzroy Library entrance on Moor Street.

Go into the library and follow the signs and floor arrows through the library and down the hallway to the stairwell.

Take the stairs up to Level 1. For the lift, go down the side of the stairs, through the back door and turn left.

On Level 1, follow the signs. Turn left for the vigil main space, the sensory space and the bathrooms, or right for the family space.

Front view of the Fitzroy Library entrance, with tall green doors and a vertical LIBRARY sign

The Fitzroy Library entrance on Moor Street.

Floor plan of Fitzroy Town Hall Level 1. From the lift and stairs, the family space is to the right, and the sensory space, bathrooms and vigil main space with the stage are to the left. The post-event exit is via the stairs.

Fitzroy Town Hall, Level 1. When the vigil ends, you can leave by the stairs shown on the plan, or take the lift the same way you came in.

Inside the venue

Vigil main space

Speakers will be at the front of the room with a microphone, and there will be chairs for you to sit on. Reserved seating is available on request, and the vigil will be Auslan interpreted. You are welcome to bring anything that helps you settle or concentrate, like a notepad, your phone or a fidget toy.

Sensory space

The sensory space is the room on your left just before you reach the vigil main space. It is a calmer place to take a break, and you are welcome to use it at any point.

Family space

The family space is to the right when you arrive on Level 1.

Toilets

There are accessible toilets and baby change facilities on Level 1, just outside the vigil main space.

All the upstairs toilets are for our event only, and each door will have an all-gender sign, including Braille. You are welcome to leave for a bathroom break any time you need.

A silver All Gender Toilet sign with a toilet symbol and Braille underneath

Food and drink

Light refreshments, a tea and coffee station and water are available throughout the vigil. You are welcome to eat or drink whenever you need to, and we ask that you are mindful of noise while someone is speaking.

From 7pm to 8pm there is a social connection hour, with time to be together as a community. Bins are at the back of the space, near the food and drink station.

Finding help on the night

TGV staff and onsite security will be wearing trans flag lanyards with the TGV logo. Ask any of us if you need help finding a space, a seat or a quiet moment.

Access requests and questions

TGV and City of Yarra will do our best to meet your access needs. Reserved seating is available on request. You can email us, or add your access needs when you register.

Email events@tgv.org.au ▸Register for free ▸

You don't have to carry it alone

This day can bring up a lot. If you need to talk to someone, free and confidential support is available right now.

Support services ▸

In an emergency, always call 000.

Why we remember

Join us at Fitzroy Town Hall

Share a few words

Know before you go

Help spread the word

You don't have to carry it alone