Today is Transgender Day of Remembrance.
Transgender activist Gwendolyn Smith created Transgender Day of Remembrance to honor Rita Hester, a transgender woman of color, who was murdered to honor her memory as well as the lives of other transgender people who have been killed.
Today, we want to take the time to honor the lives of all transgender and gender diverse people who have been impacted by violence— whether that violence is physical, emotional, or legislative. This year alone, at least 22 transgender people were killed. This is unacceptable. Everyone should have the right to life, the right to live as their true selves, and the right to live free from violence.
To learn more about the transgender and LGBT+ communities, check out these resources:
- KBEP’s Understanding the LGBT+ Community training
- The Human Rights Campaign Report “A National Epidemic: Fatal Anti-Transgender Violence in America in 2018”
- GLAAD’s Transgender Resource Page
- TransRespect Versus Transphobia Worldwide