WHILE the gigantic statue King Kong statue outside the Henry Moore Institute has been grabbing everybody’s attention this week, a far more low-key display is being hosted next door in Leeds Central Library.

2016 has been the deadliest year on record for the global Trans community; it is important that we support Trans people and the wider LGBTQ community

As part of Transgender Awareness Week - which started on Monday 14 November - the Cookridge Street entrance to the Central Library features a display including information on Trans Day of Remembrance (Sunday 20 November), as well as a Tree of Remembrance; inviting people to leave messages of support for members of the LGB&T* community, and remember those who lost their lives to murder or suicide in 2016.

“2016 has been the deadliest year on record for the global Trans community; it is important that as an organisation we support Trans people and the wider LGBTQ community who are affected by these losses.“ says Councillor James Lewis, Leeds City Council Deputy Leader.

“We are already seeing powerful messages being placed on the Tree of Remembrance, which ultimately illustrate the resilience of the Trans community.”

Leeds’ LBGTQ community was recently recognised by the National Heritage Trust, which awarded The New Penny a blue plaque for its services as the country’s longest-running gay bar, and the first of its kind outside London.

This year, for the first time, Leeds City Council will be flying the Trans flag at the Civic Hall, in order to give greater visibility to the Trans Day of Remembrance and pay respect to the lives lost around the world in 2016.

Sophie Thomas, Coordinator of TransLeeds adds ““TDoR is a really important event for our community. We lose too many each year and it’s important that we have a space to remember them and be there for each other. Here in Leeds we have a really strong transgender community with several different groups supporting it and for them to all have a space to come together is a really powerful message"

The international day of remembrance takes place on Sunday 20 November and has been marked worldwide every year since 1998.

More information can be found on the organisation’s website here: https://tdor.info/