Transgender Day of Remembrance presentation hacked with hate images

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A virtual presentation to mark Transgender Day of Remembrance on Monday instead became a display of hate when it was targetted by hackers who inserted violent and pornographic images, according to witnesses.

Green party Leader David Coon was one of many who attended the vigil Monday on Zoom, which was intended to pay tribute to people murdered as a result of transphobia.

“(The hackers) started showing images of violence against transgender people and some terrible porn,” Coon said. “This was very upsetting for lots of students, and the way it was done made it look like the hosts themselves were sharing those images on there.”

Transgender Day of Remembrance has been observed annually since 1999 on Nov. 20 to raise awareness of violence toward trans people.

The 203 Centre for Gender and Sexual Diversity at the University of New Brunswick hosted Monday’s event for students at UNB, St. Thomas University, and the New Brunswick Community College. In a statement posted Wednesday on its Facebook page, the centre’s board expressed its “heartfelt sympathies” to everyone affected by the “unfortunate events” during the vigil.

“We wanted to provide a safe space for our community on a day of mourning,” the statement reads. “Instead, what happened was antithetical to our values and principles. We are reminded of the work still left to be done, and of the threats we face.”

The centre said in the statement it will be reassessing its safety protocols for upcoming events.

“We recognize the importance of acknowledging these issues, of fostering dialogue, and of taking actions toward positive change.”

It’s unknown who the hackers were or how they gained access to the presentation or what, if any, investigations are underway.

Fredericton Police Force spokesperson Sonya Gilks said police aren’t aware of any complaints being filed regarding the event.

When he learned of what happened, Coon said, his first thoughts went to the students impacted by it. He said he received messages about it from constituents and ended up incorporating it into his statement in the legislature about Transgender Day of Remembrance.

Coon said he planned to follow up with the 203 Centre to find out what support has been offered to event participants in the days since.

“It’s very traumatic,” he said. “We know that transgender people, and young people in general, are in a very vulnerable position. I felt so upset and angry.”

Coon and Christina Barrington, co-chair of Pride in Education, said her group is worried the controversy around the provincial government’s review of Policy 713, which sets guidelines around gender identity in schools, has opened the door for this type of behaviour.

“It is such a travesty that myths, lies, untruth, and misinformation about this community have been given such credibility by elected officials,” said Barrington. “It has really put our trans and non-binary folks in this province at risk. That’s where I think this kind of hate is coming from.”