On the occasion of the Transgender Day of Remembrance celebrated annually on November 20 worldwide, we met with the president of the Association Transgenre Côte d’Azur (ATCA+).
The Transgender Day of Remembrance takes place every November 20 to commemorate trans individuals who are murdered due to transphobia. In 2020, 350 transgender people were murdered worldwide. In France, 85% of trans people experience transphobia, and there is a 45% suicide rate among the transgender community.
«We hope that this day will become increasingly known and supported, to show that the fight is not over. In this battle, as soon as we make a beneficial stride, we hit another obstacle. We hope for awareness, it’s a moment of communion».
According to the director of ATCA+, this violence persists due to the slowness of procedures. «As long as laws exist but are not enforced, why would people change? For people to change, there need to be verdicts», she adds.
The Transgender Association Côte d’Azur (ATCA+)
Established ten years ago, ATCA+ works in partnership with the LGBT center Côte d’Azur. Each year, about fifty individuals come to the association to be informed, guided, and assisted.
In cases where individuals are seeking a defined transition—about half the cases—the association provides information and directs them to doctors to begin their transition.
If the individual seeking help is somewhat lost, the LGBT center offers group discussion spaces. The individual can be directed to a non-binary group, developed just over a year ago.
The LGBT center also organizes friendly gatherings where heterosexuals, homosexuals, non-binary people, transgender individuals, and people of all ages come together. These gatherings allow for a social life and genuine moments of exchange.
Lucie, the head of ATCA+, describes the transition as a real «battle» and admits having seen individuals find a new lease on life after passing through the association—results that «give her a sense of progress».
The Transgender Day of Remembrance in Nice
Transgender Day of Remembrance in Nice, Place Garibaldi. Saturday, November 20.
This Saturday, November 20, dozens of people gathered at Place Garibaldi for the Transgender Day of Remembrance. Flowers were laid, along with candles.
The gathering was followed by the screening of the Brazilian film Valentina at the Mercury Cinema.
