Transgender Day of Remembrance
November 20 is recognized as the national Transgender Day of Remembrance – an opportunity for communities to come together and mark the passing of transgender or those perceived to be transgender individuals who have been murdered because of hate.
Transgender Day of Remembrance provides a forum for transgender communities and allies to raise awareness of the threat of violence faced by gender variant people and the persistence of prejudice felt by the transgender community. Communities organize events and activities including town hall style "teach-ins," photography and poetry exhibits, and candlelit vigils. These activities make anti-transgender violence visible to stakeholders like police, the media and elected officials.
The guiding principle for the national Transgender Day of Remembrance is summed up in George Santayana’s immortal words: "Those who cannot remember the past are doomed to repeat it."
Find an Event
- Find a Local event and more information about Transgender Day of Remembrance [www.transgenderdor.org]
Personal Message from Allyson Robinson, HRC Associate Director of Diversity
Each year, we commemorate Transgender Day of Remembrance events to honor Rita Hester – whose 1998 murder remains unsolved – and the hundreds of others within our community who have since lost their lives to hate. As we mark the 12th Transgender Day of Remembrance, we’re somberly reminded of the work we still have ahead of us.
This year, 12 Americans lost their lives because of someone’s hatred for their gender identity.
That same hate contributed to the tragic rise in LGBT youth suicides. We must take a strong stand against bigotry – whether it’s coming from candidates for office or a schoolyard bully. In the face of these tragedies and what is sure to be a challenging political landscape, we must forge ahead in our work to foster environments where diversity is embraced and nurtured – not ridiculed.
We have hope to draw on in the face of these challenges. For instance, Transgender Day of Remembrance now is observed in countries across the globe. That broad support sends a strong message to detractors that diversity is one of our greatest strengths. And, we recently marked the one year anniversary of the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act becoming law. It is now a federal hate crime to assault someone based on their gender identity, sexual orientation or gender.
This year, I ask you to share your hope with others as a sign of our community’s strength and resilience. Reaching out to an isolated youth or friend, participating in a local event, or writing your lawmakers to demand a fully inclusive ENDA before a new group of anti-equality lawmakers takes office are just a few of the actions you can take. Regardless of the political environment, our greatest assets have always come from the strength, diversity and hope we draw from one another.
About Transgender Day of Remembrance
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