This Saturday,
November 20, will be the 23rd annual Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR), a
day to honor the lives of transgender and non-binary individuals who have been
lost to anti-trans violence.
TDOR was
started in 1999 by trans advocate Gwendolyn Ann Smith to honor Rita Hester, a
Black trans woman who was murdered in November 1998.
The day
involves community vigils and events around the country, providing space to
mourn and raising public awareness of the epidemic of anti-trans violence in
the United States.
Raising this
awareness is, unfortunately, more relevant than ever.
Earlier this
month, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) declared 2021 to be the deadliest year on record since
the organization began tracking murders or violent deaths of transgender
people.
This year, HRC
reports that at least 46 trans and gender non-conforming people have been
killed by violent means.
Since January
2013, HRC has recorded at least 254 victims to anti-trans violence, while
acknowledging that the number is likely higher due to deaths that “go
unreported, or misreported.” At least 66% of the victims HRC tracked were Black
trans women.
For those
looking for a space to honor the lives that have been lost, we’ve compiled some
events taking place around the country.
There are,
however, so many more events taking place in cities and towns all over the
United States. If you don’t see your hometown on this list and you can’t find
an event in your town online, you can participate in one of the many virtual
events planned for Saturday.
Virtual
New York
City’s LGBTQ community center is hosting a virtual event on Thursday, November
18 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. EST. The event will include a healing ceremony,
speeches by trans advocates, performances, a reading of names, support from
Center staff, and more. Those interested in attending can register
here.
The
Transgender Education Network of Texas will also hold a
virtual event on Saturday at 6:00pm CST. In addition to a ceremony,
the organization will also offer mental health support in Zoom breakout rooms.
New York
City
New York
City’s LGBTQ community center will also host an in-person event on
Saturday, November 20 from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m., located at The Glade in Little
Island.
Chicago
The city’s
Black-led, trans-led LGBTQ+ community center, Brave Space Alliance, will hold a vigil, town hall, and community luncheon
on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
This event
will specifically honor five Black trans women killed in Chicago this year. It
will take place at the organization’s space at 1039-1041 E. 43rd St.
San
Francisco
The San
Francisco Community Health Center will hold a community gathering on Saturday from 2
p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Fluid Co-op, 332 Golden Gate Ave.
Washington,
D.C.
The D.C.
Center for the LGBT Community will
hold an event on Saturday from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the
Metropolitan Community Church of Washington, 474 Ridge St. NW.
Omaha,
Nebraska
The River City
Gender Alliance will host a performance by the River City Mixed
Chorus. The event will also include speakers, the reading of names, a
candlelight ceremony, and dessert reception. It will take place at the First
United Methodist Church, 7020 Cass Street.
Jackson,
Mississippi
In Jackson,
the TRANS program will host a ceremony in the Yates Chapel at Millsaps
College from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. There will also be a reception afterward. Those
who cannot be there in person can join via Facebook livestream.
Indiana
The ACLU of
Indiana has posted a slew of events taking place across the state. Click here to find out more.
Albuquerque,
New Mexico
The
Transgender Resource Center of New Mexico will host
an outdoor event at 5600 Domingo Rd NE in Albuquerque. There will be
altars, an open mic, music, and light refreshments.
St.
Louis
The Metro
Trans Umbrella Group will host an event beginning at their headquarters, 3133
Oregon Ave in St. Louis, at 5:30 p.m. CST. Participants will then walk together
to the group’s Transgender Memorial Garden, where a vigil will take place.
SOURCE: LGBTQ NATION
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