The mood fit the occasion on Wednesday night outside Penticton City Hall, dark, dreary, as a small group gathered to observe the annual Transgender Day of Remembrance.

South Okanagan Similkameen (SOS) Pride organized a candlelight vigil Nov. 20, to honour the memory of transgender people who lost their lives because of violence.

"We hold a vigil every year," said Heather Adamson, communications director at SOS Pride. "It's a sombre day where we have to recognize that transgender lives are still under attack for being themselves."

Transgender Day of Remembrance is observed every year on Nov. 20. It was first marked in 1999 in memory of Rita Hester, a transgender woman who was murdered in Massachusetts one year earlier.

In Penticton, the day was first recognized in 2019 when a candlelight vigil was held inside Gyro Park.

Kyler Sahlmark remembers the day well, as it commenced shortly after he began publicly living as a transgender man. 

"There's been so many names that have fallen," Sahlmark said, marking five years since the event was first observed in Penticton. "This is one of the ways that we can come together and try to bring something out of a sad day, stand for each other, and invite people into the conversation."

Sahlmark has volunteered with SOS Pride for several years. The Penticton resident's journey was recently subject to a six-part Telus Storyhive documentary, TransMan, directed by Tempest Theatre's Kate Twa.

SOS Pride, meanwhile, hosts events across the South Okanagan and Similkameen all year, including September's Pride Arts Festival in Osoyoos.

"We support the whole region, and do outreach in rural communities, too," Adamson said.

Following its candlelight vigil on Wednesday, around 25 people marched along Main Street in downtown Penticton to mark Transgender Day of Remembrance.

Similar events were held nationwide, including in 琉璃神社 and Vernon.