Transgender Day of Remembrance: A Day for Mourning, Action, Change

By Lauren Means

Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDoR), observed annually on November 20, is a somber occasion that honors the lives of transgender individuals who have been tragically taken due to transphobic violence. But it’s more than a day of mourning — it’s a call for awareness, recognition, and action against the rampant discrimination and violence still faced by transgender people around the world.

The origins of TDoR are deeply personal and rooted in tragedy. In 1999, transgender advocate Gwendolyn Ann Smith founded the day after the brutal murder of Rita Hester, a Black transgender woman. Hester’s death in 1998 was barely acknowledged by the media and the case remains unsolved. Her murder came just three years after the murder of another Black trans woman, Chanelle Pickett, in the same area of Massachusetts. In response to the silence surrounding these losses, Smith set up a web project to memorialize Hester and others like her, creating what would become a global day of remembrance.

What started as a simple vigil has grown into an international movement, with cities across the U.S. and beyond coming together to remember the names of transgender individuals lost to violence. Each vigil, held in the flickering candlelight of communities standing in solidarity, ensures that their stories aren’t erased. Each name read aloud is more than just a statistic — it’s a life, a story, a soul that was taken too soon. And every year, that list grows longer, despite ongoing efforts to combat transphobia.

Ongoing Struggles for the Transgender Community

At its heart, TDoR serves as a critical reminder that transgender people, particularly trans women of color, are being murdered at an alarming rate. Their lives are often cut short by a society steeped in hate and systemic oppression.

Statistics paint a harrowing picture. Studies show that transgender individuals are far more likely to experience physical violence, harassment, and discrimination than their cisgender counterparts. The danger is especially stark for transgender women of color, who are not only battling transphobia but also grappling with racism, sexism, and poverty. The intersection of these forms of discrimination creates a deadly vulnerability.

Across the globe, particularly in the United States, the transgender community faces a wave of legislative attacks aimed at restricting their rights. From denying healthcare access to trans youth to banning transgender athletes from participating in sports, the challenges are numerous and alarming.

And yet, these battles underscore the importance of TDoR. It’s a day to honor those lost, but also a moment to rally for those who still face discrimination and violence.

The Grim Reality of 2024

As of 2024, the violence against transgender individuals continues, showing no signs of abating. Advocacy organizations like the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) and Transgender Europe (TGEU) work tirelessly to track the names and stories of those lost, but the violence feels relentless.

According to the HRC, at least 25 transgender and gender-expansive people in the U.S. have been murdered in 2024 as of the date of publication. Of those 25 individuals, 72% were people of color, 44% were Black transgender women, 60% were killed with a gun, 47% of victims with a known killer were killed by a romantic/sexual partner, friend, or family member, and 32% were misgendered or deadnamed by authorities or the press.

From a Day to a Movement

In the years since TDoR’s inception, the movement has gained momentum. It has become not just a day of remembrance, but a day for activism. LGBTQ+ organizations, human rights groups, and local communities host events aimed at raising awareness, educating allies, and demanding systemic change. The day encourages collective action — calling for the end of violence, better legal protections, and increased access to resources for transgender individuals, particularly in areas like healthcare, employment, and housing.

TDoR is more than a time for grief — it’s a time for action. As we remember those who have been taken by hate, we must also fight for the living. The advocacy that has grown out of TDoR has made a significant impact, but there is still so much work to be done.

The transgender community deserves a world where they can live without fear, where their rights are protected, and where their existence is celebrated. November 20 is just one day in that fight, but it’s a powerful reminder of why we must keep pushing forward. 

Upcoming Events

Middle Tennessee Transgender Alliance (MTTA)’s Transgender Day of Remembrance & Resilience
November 20th, 2024 at 6 pm
Holiday Inn Downtown Stadium – 211 N. First Street, Nashville, TN, 37213
https://linktr.ee/middletntrans

MTSU Lambda Association – Transgender Day of Remembrance Vigil
Saturday, November 16, 2024
Time and Location to be announced at a later date
https://www.mtsu.edu/lgbt/programming/