Morgane Oger

Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR), is marked every 20 November. exists to honor the memory of transgender and gender-diverse individuals who have lost their lives due to anti-transgender violence.

It is a day to mourn those who were killed, recognize the systemic issues that lead to such violence, and raise awareness about the discrimination, stigma, and marginalization faced by transgender people worldwide.

Murders of trans people remain at alarming levels as anti-rights sentiments spread and transphobic agendas take hold worldwide. Current laws and policies fail to address violence against trans people.

– TGEU Trans Murder Tracking Project

TDOR was founded in 1999 by transgender advocate Gwendolyn Ann Smith in response to the murder of Rita Hester, a Black transgender woman who was killed in 1998. Her death, like many others, highlighted the lack of public acknowledgment and justice for trans lives lost to violence.

The day serves multiple purposes:

1. Commemoration: Remembering the victims of transphobic violence whose lives were cut short.
2. Awareness: Highlighting the pervasive violence and systemic inequality faced by transgender individuals.
3. Community Solidarity: Providing a space for trans and allied communities to come together in grief, strength, and resilience.
4. Call to Action: Advocating for better protections, education, and equality to prevent future violence.

TDOR also serves as a solemn reminder that transphobia remains a global issue, necessitating ongoing efforts to combat hate and ensure the safety and dignity of all transgender and gender-diverse people.

On Trans Day of Remembrance, honor those lost by committing to action. Speak out against hate, fight for safety, and build inclusion. Every voice matters and so does every life.