Transgender Day of Remembrance

Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDoR) is observed annually on November 20th to memorialize those who have died due to transphobic violence. TDoR events are held in cities all over the world and it is sometimes referred to as the International Transgender Day of Remembrance. It is noteworthy that the vast majority of these deaths occur among trans women of color.

Transgender Day of Remembrance was founded in 1999 following the brutal 1998 murder of 34-year-old African-American trans woman Rita Hester in Allston, MA. The event organizers included Gwendolyn Ann Smith. By 2010 Transgender Day of Remembrance was observed in over 185 cities worldwide.

“Those who cannot remember the past are doomed to repeat it.” (Santayana)

Transgender Day of Remembrance events typically includes candlelight vigils, marches, movie screenings, poetry readings, church services, community center events, etc. where the names of those who lost their lives in the past year are read aloud.

TDoR Follows Transgender Awareness Week

TDoR is observed on November 20th, immediately following Transgender Awareness Week which is held November 13th through 19th. The month of November has become widely recognized as Transgender Awareness Month. The trans awareness events leading up to TDoR provide the opportunity for trans awareness education, recognition and celebration while Transgender Day of Remembrance solemnly recognized the loss of human lives due to transphobic violence.

The trans community has made a great deal of progress, yet the struggle for equality is nowhere near complete. Please help make a difference where you can.