Across the globe, the 20th of November each year is set aside to remember those who have died as a result of anti-transgender hatred or prejudice.

It’s a day of grief and reflection as we remember people we have lost. But it can also be a day of celebration, awareness and renewal, as communities join together in solidarity and hope for a better future.

Tuesday 20 November 2012 will be the 14th annual Transgender Day of Remembrance. While the idea began in America back in the late ‘90s following the violent unsolved murder of trans woman Rita Hester, the day is now marked in more than 20 countries across the world, including here in Australia.

Even here in our relatively enlightened country, gender-diverse people often face stigma or discrimination. Marking November 20, a new report looking into violence targeting transgender people will be launched by the Deputy Lord Mayor in the Macquarie Room at NSW Parliament House. Find more details below.

There’s also a free event in Newtown’s King Street Theatre from 6:30pm with a sneak peak at new play Into The Mirror, starring Penny Day as Kendall, whose daughter must come to terms with her parent’s unexpected transition. The play will run from 21 November to 15 December at King Street Theatre, 344 King Street, Newtown.

The Y Gender trans youth social support group in Melbourne will be holding a Transgender Day of Remembrance event on Tuesday between 3 and 8pm at 177 Drummond Street, Carlton. It’ll be a candlelight vigil with soft music, and refreshments provided free. To help with catering numbers, please RSVP to m.rodgers@ygender.com.

Melbourne’s LGBTI bookstore Hares & Hyenas will present a range of trans writers and speakers in an evening of spoken word and life stories on Thursday 22 November. Find details here.

Adelaide’s Feast Festival is well underway and for Transgender Day of Remembrance on Nov 20, local organisations Gender Muck, Carrousel Club, Bfriend and SIN will meet at the festival’s Hub of Light Square for a candlelight vigil.

Afterwards, there’s a screening of Becoming Chaz at the Campsite Cinema in Light Square at 8:30pm sharp. Check out its trailer:

We’ll add information about what other cities are doing for Transgender Day of Remembrance as their details are confirmed. In the meantime, we recommend you take a look at the trailer for Sydney trans man Andy Guy’s new film It’s Not About The Sex – see it here.

Over in the States, the Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition have released four new videos with trans people telling their stories for the I AM: Trans People Speak campaign. See one below.