Leeds City College

As part of Transgender Awareness Week and Transgender Day of Remembrance, our LGBTQ+ staff network asked students and staff to share the story behind their chosen name.

Many people choose their own names, and we wanted to find out why, how it makes them feel, the difficulties they face when choosing, and what advice they would give to others first trying to find their name.

The response from students and staff has been amazing, and we are so happy to share this collection of wonderful stories.

five candles in blue pink and white above the words transgender day of remembrance November 20

Kai Wildsmith, a member of the LGBTQ+ staff network, said: “There’s a lot of sadness associated with Transgender Day of Remembrance, and while it’s important to remember those we have lost, it is also important to remember that we are a community that deserves love and happiness, and are all here for each other.

“These stories highlight some of those happy, euphoric moments, and that being trans isn’t just about sadness, dysphoria, battling hate and trying to survive – it is about living, loving and being yourself.”

History of Transgender Day of Remembrance

Transgender Day of Remembrance is observed in late November in recognition of the 1998 murder of Rita Hester, who was a highly visible member of the transgender community in Boston, USA where she worked on education around transgender issues.

In 1999, one year after Rita’s murder, advocate and writer Gwendolyn Ann Smith coordinated a vigil in her honour to commemorate not only Rita, but all who have been tragically lost to anti-transgender violence. Smith also launched the Transgender Day of Remembrance website.