Transgender women — and trans sex workers in particular — know what it means to be marginalized, overpoliced, and underprotected. In season two of The Village, host Justin Ling investigates the stories of two women, Alloura Wells and Cassandra Do, whose deaths remain unexplained, and whose cases expose the systems that failed them.
Like the award-winning first season of The Village, which delves into cases of missing and murdered men in Toronto's gay community dating back to the 1970s, season two reveals new details about police investigations gone wrong. As the community stands up, fights back and demands justice, they ask the question: "Have we learned nothing?
This season is available on the stand-alone feed for The Village as well as the Uncover feed. New episodes drop Wednesdays until July 21.
Available episodes
Episode 1: Alloura
Alloura Wells finds a vibrant and supportive community, growing up and coming out on the streets of Toronto. But she also finds herself entangled in the criminal justice system.
The Village50:19S2 E1: Alloura
Access the transcript for this episode here.
Episode 2: "Not a high priority"
When Alloura disappears her friends and family organize to find her, only to be brushed off by police. A stranger reaches out and provides some unsettling answers, but many questions remain.
The Village36:17S2 E2: "Not a high priority"
Access the transcript for this episode here.
Episode 3: Cassandra
Cassandra Do comes to the Village, trying to escape discrimination back home. When Cassandra pursues sex work to finance her transition, she finds herself part of a community targeted by the Toronto police.
The Village47:32S2 E3: Cassandra
Access the transcript for this episode here.
Episode 4: We Belong
Police believe someone knows who killed Cassandra; all he has to do is talk. Meanwhile, trans activists and their allies embark on a long fight for inclusion in human rights laws — in Canada and around the world.
The Village48:26S2 E4: We belong
Access the transcript for this episode here.
Episode 5: Accountability and Apologies
Justin discovers a shocking failure in the investigation into Alloura's death and poses tough questions to Toronto's police chief. Trans activists honour Alloura and others who have inspired change, and who deserved better.
The Village53:42S2 E5: Accountability and Apologies
Access the transcript for this episode here.
If you're in crisis or just looking for someone to talk to, try the Trans Lifeline's hotline — a peer support phone service run by trans people for trans and questioning folks: CAN (877) 330-6366 or US (877) 565-8860
