#TDoR 2021

[liberaljane]

It’s #TransDayofRemembrance, a day where we mourn and honor the people who have been murdered just for being trans. Today is also a day where we recognize that, despite threats of violence and discrimination, the trans community still continues to thrive. Trans individuals everywhere are living their fullest, authentically. As @nclrights and @familiatqlm puts it, #TDOR not only means Trans Day of Remembrance/ Día Trans del Recuerdo, it also means: Trans Day of Resilience || Día Trans del Resiliencia Trans Day of Realness || Día Trans del Realidad Trans Day of Revolution || Día Trans del Revolución Today, as we say the names of the 47 individuals who have been killed in the U.S. since November 2021, we will prepare to continue stronger, together, towards a day where transphobia and violence no longer exists. Created with @nclrights and @familiatqlm <3

[regicide1997]

I shouldn't have been so afraid of my parents. Not because they reacted to me being queer better than expected—no, so far, everything's been about what I should've expected. No, I shouldn't have been afraid because living in fear of their reaction, of what they would do if I tried to live true to who I am, caused me so much more pain than I could have ever imagined. I would have come out years ago, even if it meant being disowned, had I known the pain. The emptiness. The grief.

I would have introduced myself to you, that afternoon in August 2021. You were sitting behind the front desk of the dorm building, and I had just moved in, a couple weeks early so I could both adjust to life in the city and prepare for the qualifying exam. I would have told you I wasn't really sure about my name, but if you can keep a secret, my friends call me Regicide. (Nowadays that's more a nickname to me, but it was all I had at the time.) I would have told you I loved your hair. I would have asked if you wanted to study physics together. I would have helped you pay for Wren's apartment. I would have given you your roses while you were still here. I would have asked how you manage to balance work, studies, and social commitments. Maybe you would've helped me pick a name that wouldn't raise as many eyebrows as "Regicide" would. I probably wouldn't be calling myself Hope nowadays, but even if I would be, I'd have stronger justification for it, because I would've been your friend. Kitty Lark, you little bird that kept so many warm, I would have been your friend.

Had I not been so afraid.

I don't want to be afraid anymore. I choose to live, despite all the pain. I choose to live, in memory of you, and in regret of what should have been but now can never be. I choose to live, for everyone you left behind. I choose to live, because every day is TDOR. Every day, I remember the dead. Every day, I fight like hell for the living. And every day, I choose to live.

[stilesisbiles]

At @VA_TRAN22's TDoR rally.

I came very close to being on 2021's list, though it would've been framed as a "suicide".

It wasn't the first or last attempt on my life, but the closest to successful.

I feel like I'm living on borrowed time. But I'm not going to stop fighting.

[teamtrans-icehockey]

#tdor: The Transgender Day of Remembrance(TDoR), observed annually on November 20, serves to memorialize those who have been murdered as a result of transphobia. It is a day to draw attention to the continued violence endured by transgender people. Commemorations often include a reading of the names of those who lost their lives since November 20 of the previous year, and may include other actions such as candlelight vigils, dedicated church services, marches, art shows, food drives and film screenings. Rita Hester (November 30, 1963 – November 28, 1998) was a transgender African American woman who was murdered in Allston, Massachusetts. In response to her murder, an outpouring of grief and anger led to a candlelight vigil held the following Friday (December 4) in which about 250 people participated. The community struggled to see Rita's life and identity covered respectfully by local papers. Her death inspired the "Remembering Our Dead" web project and the Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDoR). “Anti-transgender violence against Black people is at epidemic levels. It is almost certain that the numbers reported underestimate the number of victims; in many cases, trans people's deaths aren't correctly reported, or the truth of their lives is covered up after their deaths. These numbers don't count assaults, which are difficult to track. Nor do they count the loss of life due to improper medical care, suicide, or drug overdose, three horrible symptoms of society's general anti-Blackness and anti-transgender attitudes… Murder rates this high would almost certainly sound many alarms if it affected more dominant communities. Black trans lives matter, and the epidemic of violence against them deserves more attention.“ -Emily Gorcensky Team Trans players are pictured taking a knee during a moment of silence in 2021 in remembrance of our siblings lost to transphobic violence. #🏳️‍⚧️🏒 #🏳️‍🌈🦄🏒 #lgbtqicehockey #teamtransicehockey #transrightsarehumanrights #transathletesbelonginsport #hockeyisforeveryone @madisongayhockey @youcanplayteam @teamtranstwincities @bostonpridehockey https://www.instagram.com/p/ClK5zgxO_Aj/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[lapsed-bookworm]

Call For Submissions: November 2022

The Gender Exploration Carnival is one of several blogging carnivals – an event where a host blog puts out a theme for the month, participants create content and share the links with the host, and the host posts a round-up at the end of the month. For more information, you can check out the FAQ page [1].

For November 2022, the theme I have chosen to self-host is “TDOR.” Later this month, the Trans Day of Remembrance - or for people who do not want to focus on their community members’ deaths, the Trans Day of Resilience - will be observed on the 20th. Originally started as the Transgender Day of Remembrance in 1999, TDOR is a day for ‘honoring the memory of trans or gender-diverse people who were lost to transphobic violence.’ Before Covid-19, an in-person candlelight vigil would usually be involved, and a local group might add to the official list. (Additions could include: Recent deaths in their area after the official list was put out, any deaths that slipped through official monitoring, and some groups would add other names in the past year that were not included in the official statistics like those lost to suicide.)

The following prompts are suggestions, and you are not required to answer one question (or all of them) in order to participate as long as your submission is connected to the theme.

Suggested questions:

Have you taken part in a Trans Day of Remembrance vigil? Have you done an offline or online event for the day?

If you’re comfortable sharing, does taking part in a communal activity help with processing and handling the grief of this time? Do you feel differently about this depending on if others around you know about this day?

Have you taken part in any sort of event for Trans Day of Resilience?

-

The deadline for submissions is 2 am EST [UTC-5] on 1 December 2022. I will post the round-up around 3 pm on 1 November and will accept late submissions until then. You can submit an anonymous entry for this month by emailing genderexplorationcarnival@pm.me (the post will be self-hosted on the Gender Exploration Carnival WordPress), or you can leave a link to your submission in a comment on the WordPress Call for Submissions [2]. If you have an idea for a theme and would like to host, please leave a comment on “Volunteer As Host” [3].

-

Links:

[1] genderexplorationcarnival . wordpress . com/FAQ

[2] genderexplorationcarnival . wordpress . com/category/call-for-submissions

[3] genderexplorationcarnival . wordpress . com/2021/01/20/volunteer-as-host/

[broken-cass-kimbrel]

The murder of trans people has served as an impetus to the establishment of the Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDoR).[1][2]

In 2019, the American Medical Association called the violence against trans people an "epidemic".[3][4][5]

In 2020, ABC News "independently confirmed 34 violent deaths of transgender and gender non-conforming people in 2020 at the time of publication." This was published by Good Morning America.[6] According to the Human Rights Campaign, at least 57 transgender and gender non-conforming people were killed in 2021, surpassing the total from 2020 of 44 people.[7]

2022 - Cherry Bush, a homeless 48-year-old trans woman, was shot to death in Los Angeles. Her alleged killer has been charged with a hate crime.[95]

2023 - Brianna Ghey was stabbed to death in Culcheth Linear Park on 11 February 2023. Transphobia was recognised as a secondary motive for the killing by one of the two killers

2020 – Alexa Luciano Ruiz was fatally shot in Puerto Rico on 24 February, after an incident in a local restroom.[84][85] Carmen Yulín Cruz called attention to her death before the 2020 Puerto Rico gubernatorial election. Ms. Luciano was killed while the assailant men laughed.[86]

2020 – Selena Reyes-Hernandez, 37, was fatally shot in Chicago, Illinois, on 31 May by a man she went home with, after telling him that she was transgender.[87]

2020 – Brayla Stone, 17, was murdered in Arkansas in June 2020 by a man seeking to conceal his sexual relationship with her. The killer pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 50 years in prison.[88]

2020 – Valera (name is changed in the report), a 46-year-old man, a janitor, was killed on 10 February in Chelyabinsk, Russia, by his dorm roommates after they learned he was a transgender man.[89]

2021 – Ebeng Mayor, a trans man from Batasan Hills, Philippines, was found raped, mutilated, and killed on 20 May 2021, after being missing for three days.[90]

2022 – Briza Garces Florez, a 40-year-old Colombian trans sex worker from the Netherlands, was stabbed to death by her 32-year-old boyfriend of Greek descent in a hotel in Wassenaar.[91][92]

2022 – Doski Azad, a 23-year-old Kurdish transgender woman, was murdered by her brother for being transgender.[93]

2022 – Ariyanna Mitchell, a 17-year-old Black trans girl from Virginia, was shot and killed by 19-year-old Jimmy LeShawn Williams with an assault rifle, after he asked her if she was transgender, and she replied, "yes".[94]

[prideknights]

[itgetsbetterproject]

Today is #TransDayofRemembrance

We take this day to honor those from the trans community who lost their lives during the past year due to violence or self-harm, disproportionately affecting trans people of color. Take a moment to learn about the history of this day, see some organizations we can support to help lift each other up and stop this violence year-round, and find some of our resources you can share. We'll start with remembrance, then turn to resilience. 🏳️‍⚧️ PS: To honor and learn a little about those who passed in the U.S. this year, see: hrc.org/resources/fatal-violence-against-the-transgender-and-gender-non-conforming-community-in-2021

[smeller-b]

11/20- hey, it’s TDOR, if you are able, please consider financially supporting my friend Charlotte. She is a trans woman with stage 4 stomach cancer and she has been homeless for most of this year. She has experienced extreme health issues and multiple instances of transphobic violence that have left her injured and traumatized. Between her physical injuries and cancer, she really can’t work most jobs, so she needs all the support she can get. Thanks- anything helps.

PayPal.me/ruby11a

[lgbt]

November 20, 2021. I remember the 47 lives lost so far this year in the United States (and hundreds more across the globe) to senseless violence. Say their names.

List below the cut for those triggered by violence or death.

Tyianna Alexander, who was also known as Davarea Alexander, was a 28-year-old Black trans woman. Tyianna was shot to death in Chicago on January 6. On social media, friends of Tyianna posted that she had “good energy” and had “a beautiful light,” with one friend saying “I loved everything about her.” Said another friend, “this lady was nothing but life, encouragement, motivation and fun.”

Samuel Edmund Damián Valentín, a transgender man, was killed on January 9 in Trujillo Alto, Puerto Rico. Samuel was looking forward to starting a new year. On January 1, he posted on his Facebook, “a new year to come, grateful for all the experiences who [taught] me how strong we really are, to life, to good and bad, and for all justice that is forth to come.” He also spoke out against violence in Puerto Rico, expressing his hope for a Puerto Rico without killings.

Bianca “Muffin” Bankz, a Black transgender woman, was shot to death in Atlanta, Ga. on January 17. On Friday, January 29, Bianca’s friends and the Trans Housing Coalition (THC) held a vigil outside of her apartment to remember her. Said THC’s Founder and Co-Director Jesse Pratt López, “Muffin was just blossoming into herself.”

Dominique Jackson, a Black transgender woman, was shot to death in Jackson, Miss. on January 25. According to her Facebook, Dominique was the Mother of the Haus of Redd, and the Founder of The Ladi Redd Inc. Friends are remembering her on social media, with one saying “my heart is heavy,” and another sharing “I’m at a loss for words.”

Fifty Bandz, a 21-year-old Black transgender woman,was shot to death in Baton Rouge, Louisiana on January 28. Friends of Fifty Bandz and advocates said her name as they released balloons to remember her life. On Facebook, one friend shared, “When are we as a community going to do something?!”

Alexus Braxton, also known as Kimmy Icon Braxton, a 45-year-old Black trans woman, was killed on Feb. 4 in Miami. Braxton was a hairstylist and active on social media, posting regularly. One of her most recent posts said “they can’t stop my shine.” Family and friends held a balloon release to honor Alexus’s life on February 8 and have been remembering her on social media, with one saying “I’m beyond devastated.”

Chyna Carrillo, who also went by Chyna Cardenas, was killed in the morning hours of February 18, 2021, in New Wilmington, Pennsylvania. Not much is known at the time about Chyna’s personal life. One of her social media posts suggested she would have celebrated her 25th birthday just weeks before her death. “Chyna was very young and did not deserve to have her life cut short,” said HRC Director of Community Engagement for the Transgender Justice Initiative Tori Cooper. okay

Siblings Jeffrey “JJ” Bright, a 16-year-old trans boy, and Jasmine Cannady, a 22-year-old non-binary person, both from Ambridge, Pennsylvania, were killed on February 22. Jeffrey was a student at Ambridge High School, while Jasmine worked at FedEx, according to their Facebook page. Both siblings were active in PRISM, a non-profit organization for the LGBTQ+ youth of Beaver County, Pa. “JJ is a part of our PRISM family,” PRISM shared on their Facebook. “JJ was a beautiful person with the biggest and brightest smile.” PRISM describes Jasmine as “a sweet, shy and artistic soul,” and according to the Transfamily of NWPA, Jasmine “loved to dance. They cared deeply for their friends.” On February 23, PRISM held a candlelight vigil in memory of Jasmine and Jeffrey.

Jenna Franks, a 34-year-old white transgender woman, was killed in Jacksonville, North Carolina in February. Jenna was a part of the Onslow County LGBTQ+ Community Center family. She was remembered on Facebook by friends and family as “sweet” and “a rock star.” Dennis Biancuzzo, Executive Director for the Onslow County LGBTQ+ Community Center, described Jenna as “a beautiful soul” and “a breath of fresh air.”

Diamond Kyree Sanders, a 23-year-old Black transgender woman, was shot to death in Cincinnati, Ohio on March 3. Diamond was described by a family member on social media as “beloved.” An obituary shared by her family describes many loving memories. “She valued her family and enjoyed spending time with them. As a child, she would say “I love my WHOLE family!,” the obituary states. In her adult life, Diamond was a traveler, known to be in New York City one week and New Orleans the following week, also according to her obituary.

Rayanna Pardo, a 26-year-old Latina trans woman, was killed on March 17 in Los Angeles. A former colleague of Rayanna’s from Starbucks shared that as co-workers, they had an “amazing time together.” According to The Advocate, the TransLatin@ Coalition and Rayanna’s friends and family held a candlelight vigil in her memory on March 20. “Rayanna was such a beautiful young person who just wanted to live her life and be herself,” said Trans Latin@ Coalition President Bamby Salcedo.

Jaida Peterson, a 29-year-old Black trans woman, was killed on April 4 in Charlotte, N.C. Jaida’s family and friends have been remembering her on social media, with her sister sharing, “you are going to be truly missed and once again we love you always.” Local advocates in Charlotte held a vigil on April 9 to remember her.

Dominique Lucious, a 26-year-old Black transgender woman, was shot and killed on April 8 in Springfield, Missouri. According to her Facebook account, Dominique was a fan of the TV show “Empire.” On social media, many of Dominique’s friends expressed their love for her and how much she will be missed. One friend shared “Many don’t get to live in their authentic truth. You were fierce, glam, and hunny gorgeous! I love you now, tomorrow and forever.”

Remy Fennell, a Black transgender woman in her 20s, was shot to death on April 15 in Charlotte, N.C. Remy's aunt said, “She was a vibrant young transgender woman who was just trying to make it & was doing it. She started her own business, graduated from cosmetology school…She has left her mark on the hair industry.”

Tiara Banks, a 24-year-old Black transgender woman, was killed in Chicago, Illinois on April 21, 2021. According to a news report, Tiara was sitting alone in her Ford Fusion when the shooter approached the vehicle and shot Tiara multiple times. Tiara was pronounced dead at the scene. “At just 24 years old, Tiara had her whole entire life ahead of her and, instead, we are remembering her because of the ongoing fatal violence against transgender people," said HRC Director of Community Engagement for the Transgender Justice Initiative Tori Cooper.

Natalia Smut, a 24-year-old Black and Puerto Rican transgender woman, was killed on April 23 in Milpitas, California. Natalia was a celebrated drag artist in the San Jose LGBTQ community with local community members describing her as a “motivating and creative spirit" with "captivating performances" and a "love for advocacy within the community.” Friends and community members organized a vigil for Natalia, with more than 100 people attending.

Iris Santos, a 22-year-old Latinx transgender woman, was killed in Houston, Texas on April 23, 2021. Iris was sitting at a picnic table enjoying a meal when an unidentified suspect approached and shot her. Iris was taken to a local hospital, where she was later pronounced dead. “Iris was so young with so many things to look forward to,” said Tori Cooper, Human Rights campaign director of community engagement for the Transgender Justice Initiative. “Iris was simply minding her own business, sitting and eating when her life was abruptly cut short.”

Tiffany Thomas, a 38-year-old Black transgender woman, was killed on April 24 in Dallas, Texas. Tiffany is being remembered as someone who had a “big heart, who was “funny” and “stayed laughing,” and who was stylish.

Keri Washington, a 49-year-old Black transgender woman, was killed on May 1 in Clearwater, Florida. “Our community is yet again in mourning as a result of senseless acts of violence against transgender and gender non-conforming people,” said Tori Cooper, HRC Director of Community Engagement for the Transgender Justice Initiative. “Keri was at least the fourth transgender woman killed in less than 10 days, each of them Black or Brown. We urge everyone to end the stigma against transgender people, and to destroy the roots of transphobia and racism that fuel this violence.”

Jahaira DeAlto, a 42-year-old transgender woman, was killed on May 2 in Boston, Mass. A well-known and beloved transgender advocate, advocate for survivors of domestic and sexual violence, and member of the ballroom community, Jahaira was a member of the House of Balenciaga and was a founder of Berkshire Transgender Day of Remembrance and Berkshire Pride Festival. She shared on Twitter, “I am the mother who raised the children whose rainbow sparkled too brightly and blinded their birth moms… I know what gratitude in the eyes of a young person who finally feels seen looks like. And for me, that’s enough.”

Whispering Wind Bear Spirit, a 41-year-old Indigenous non-binary person, was shot in York, Pennsylvania on May 3 and died early on May 4. They often shared photos of meaningful quotes on their Facebook. Friends and family are remembering them on Facebook, with one sharing “you are missed” and another remembering Whispering Wind as “a beautiful and kind soul.”

Sophie Vásquez, a 36-year-old Latina transgender woman, was shot and killed in Georgia on May 4. Sophie was a part of the EsTr (El / La) Community, or Community Estrella, a community that works to support transgender people in the Atlanta area. She is remembered as “the kindest person on the planet” and as someone who was “truly beautiful inside and out.”

Danika “Danny” Henson, who also went by Pryynce Daniel and Niia Da Don on Facebook, a 31-year-old Black transgender woman, was shot and killed in Baltimore, Maryland, on May 4. Henson also may have identified as genderfluid. According to family, Henson had just begun transitioning. One family member shared that Henson “always had a BIG heart… there was love behind everything!” On May 6, friends, family and the Baltimore Safe Haven hosted a candlelight and balloon release vigil to remember Henson.

Serenity Hollis, a 24-year-old Black transgender woman, was shot and killed in Albany, Georgia, on May 8. Her mother said that “the person that’s responsible has no idea what they took from us...I absolutely want to see that justice is served.”

Oliver “Ollie” Taylor, a 17-year-old white trans boy, died on May 19 after being kidnapped and shot on May 12 in Gervais, Oregon. He was a student at Gervais High School, where he was involved in the Gervais Future Farmers of America organization. The high school held a vigil to remember Oliver on May 20. Oliver is remembered as “an amazing child with a quirky sense of humor, who impacted so many people.”

Thomas Hardin, a 35-year-old Black transgender woman, was killed on May 2 in York, South Carolina. According to local news, friends have shared that Hardin “identified as a woman,” continued to use the name Thomas and used both he and she pronouns. Friends remembered Hardin as someone who “always kept you laughing.” A funeral service was held on May 12. Sadly, not much is currently known about Hardin’s life.

Poe Black, who also went by Oliver Jackson and Legion, was a 21-year-old transgender man who was killed in Niland, California in an area called Slab City, in early May. His body was found on May 11. Poe was originally from Nashville, Tennessee and often posted about disability rights and Black Lives Matter on social media. He was also an artist, with several online stores where he displayed and sold his art.

EJ Boykin, who also went by Novaa Watson, was killed in Lynchburg, Virginia on June 14. He had just recently celebrated his 23rd birthday on June 10 and was studying at Morgan State University. It appears EJ was also the parent of a young child. One of Boykin’s friends told HRC that “He was loved and like[d] by everyone. He was one of those people that was just good vibes and energy.”

Aidelen Evans, a 24-year-old Black transgender woman, was found dead in March in Port Arthur, Texas. Initially investigated as suspicious, as of July, her death is being investigated as a homicide. Aidelen was originally from Beaumont, Texas and had recently spent time in Port Arthur, Beaumont and Houston. “Nobody — no parent should have to go through this,” said Lois Balka, Aidelen’s grandmother, in March. “You will always be in my heart.” Sadly, not much is currently known about Aidelen’s life.

Taya Ashton, a 20-year-old Black trans woman, was killed in Suitland, Prince George’s County, Maryland on July 17. According to social media, friends and family held a vigil and balloon release to remember Taya. “Taya was just at the beginning of her life -- a life that she deserved to live to its fullest,” said Lindsey Clark, HRC Associate Director of the Transgender Justice Initiative. “Black transgender women continue to be killed in this country, and this violence is unacceptable.”

Shai Vanderpump, a 23-year-old Black trans woman, was killed in Trenton, New Jersey, on July 30. According to Garden State Equality, Shai was “a fierce LGBTQ advocate.” A GoFundMe remembered Shai as being known for her “style [and] love of family,” as someone who had a “heart of gold” and who “loved to dress, smile and see everyone happy and smiling.”

Tierramarie Lewis, a 36-year-old Black transgender woman, was killed in Cleveland, Ohio on June 12. Due to misgendering and misnaming from local officials and a lack of media coverage, her death was not reported until recently. According to reporting from The Buckeye Flame, Tierramarie moved to Cleveland last year for a fresh start. One friend remembered Tierramarie as “a spirited girl… one day she would have purple hair, one day pink hair and always an outfit to go with those colors.”

Miss CoCo, a 44-year-old trans woman of color, was killed in Dallas, Texas on August 7, 2021. According to Nu Trans Movement, she was “a well-known small girl with a big, bubbly personality. CoCo was a happy person [and] proud to be living her truth!” Sadly, not much beyond this is publicly known about Miss CoCo’s life at this time.

Pooh Johnson, a 25- year-old Black trans woman, was killed in Shreveport, Louisiana on August 23, 2021. Johnson was an accomplished makeup artist under the name Titanizer. Sadly, not much beyond this is publicly known about Johnson’s life at this time.

Disaya Monaee, a 32-year-old Black transgender woman, was fatally shot in Chicago, Illinois on September 6. “The epidemic of violence plaguing the transgender community, particularly Black transgender women, is appalling,” said Tori Cooper, HRC Director of Community Engagement for the Transgender Justice Initiative. “It is often the result of a toxic combination of transphobia, racism and misogyny.”

Briana Hamilton was a 25-year-old Black transgender woman who was fatally shot in Chicago, Illinois. On social media, Hamilton’s mother described her as Brianna as an “amazing person who touched so many people hearts with her presence and her memory will forever live on.”

Kiér Laprí Kartier, a 21-year-old Black transgender woman, was fatally shot in Arlington, Texas on Sept. 30, 2021. Kartier was from Dallas, Texas and graduated from Skyline High School. Her friends remembered her on social media as a “very strong, independent person” who “always had my back through thick and thin.”

Mel Groves, a 25-year-old Black trans man, was fatally shot on Oct. 11, 2021 in Jackson, Miss. Groves was a plant soil scientist at Alcorn State University who loved agriculture and animals. Groves was also an active member of The Knights & Orchids Society, “a southern centered grassroots startup founded and led by black, queer, transgender, and gender non-conforming people supporting gender justice and LGBTQ visibility.”

Royal Poetical Starz, a 26-year-old Black trans woman, was fatally shot in Miami Gardens, Florida on Oct. 2, was a graduate of Florida Career College Vocational School. On social media, she was remembered as “the life of the party.”

Zoella “Zoey” Rose Martinez, a 20-year-old Latina trans woman, was fatally shot in Maple Valley, Washington back on Aug. 31, 2021. Her body was later found in Seattle. Initial reports did not recognize Zoey as transgender until her family confirmed her identity this month. In a statement to HRC, Martinez’s family shared that Zoey “Zoey mastered makeup that accentuated her loving and caring personality...Zoey had a beautiful spirit, she always had a smile and had only kind words to say about others. Zoey was a born leader and her peers acknowledged her as such.”

Jo Acker, a white 26-year-old transgender woman, was killed in Boise, Idaho on October 26, 2021. Acker was one of the victims of a tragic shooting at Boise Towne Square mall while working security. She had previously served in the U.S. Army as a forward observer. Her family said she ran toward the suspect to stop him, likely saving many lives. Her family also told the media that she was “a hero” and “the type of person that always wanted to help people.” They added that she “will be greatly missed.”

Jessi Hart, a white 42-year-old transgender woman, was killed in Banks, Oregon. Her body was found on Oct. 17, 2021. Prior to her death, Hart and her teenaged son, Caleb, had been struggling with housing insecurity, staying in hotel rooms through subsidized and nonprofit assistance. Later, they both were staying in her black Saab. Unfortunately, not much is known about Hart’s personal life. “As transgender people, we often face so many challenges and uncertainties, including housing and employment security,” said Tori Cooper, HRC Director of Community Engagement for the Transgender Justice Initiative. “Sadly, these situations can lead to greatly unfortunate outcomes. My heart and that of the community goes out to her son, Caleb.”

Rikkey Outumuro, a.k.a. Tru Starlet, was a 39-year-old Latina transgender woman who was fatally shot in Centralia, WA. on the night of October 30 or the morning of October 31, 2021. Outumuro was a popular and well-loved member of the Washington LGBTQ+ community. She performed under the drag name Tru Starlet and was a former Miss Gay Lewis County. Friends remembered her on social media, with one writing that she was “an incredible advocate for the queer and trans community for nearly 20 years.”

Marquiisha Lawrence, a 28-year-old Black trans woman, was “very humble,” as one friend remembers her, and had a “heart of gold.” Lawrence’s friend said that her favorite thing to do was to cook because she felt it “filled the belly and fed the heart.” Lawrence was fatally shot in South Carolina on Nov. 4, 2021.

Jenny De Leon was a 25-year-old Latina transgender woman who was found dead in Tampa, Florida, on Nov.2, 2021. De Leon attended PFLAG Tampa meetings and sought their help when she began transitioning. The organization wrote that “Jenny was an enigmatic, bright soul with enough energy to fill any room.”

Angel Naira, a 36-year-old Black transgender woman, was found fatally shot at her home in Aliquippa, Pennsylvania on Nov. 11, 2021. Naira was a graduate of Aliquippa High School and Beaver Falls Beauty Academy and worked full time in home health care. Naira’s brother wrote that she was “a great person and loved everyone. She had a big heart and would do anything for her family and friends.”

Source: https://www.hrc.org/resources/fatal-violence-against-the-transgender-and-gender-non-conforming-community-in-2021

[positivelyqueer]

Look after yourself, your loved ones and your communities this Transgender Day of Remembrance.

We’re here for each other and we’re in this together.

[miserylamalice]

Little Nsfw but it's cute.

A little tribute to Trans!Dean for #TDOR

[trans-advice]

Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR) is an annual observance on November 20 that honors the memory of the transgender people whose lives were lost in acts of anti-transgender violence.

You can read more about the Transgender Day of Remembrance below, and find out how you can show support for the community on this day.

Additionally, the week before TDOR, people and organizations around the country participate in Transgender Awareness Week to help raise visibility for transgender people and address issues the community faces.

What is Transgender Day of Remembrance?

Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR) was started in 1999 by transgender advocate Gwendolyn Ann Smith as a vigil to honor the memory of Rita Hester, a transgender woman who was killed in 1998. The vigil commemorated all the transgender people lost to violence since Rita Hester's death, and began an important tradition that has become the annual Transgender Day of Remembrance.

"Transgender Day of Remembrance seeks to highlight the losses we face due to anti-transgender bigotry and violence. I am no stranger to the need to fight for our rights, and the right to simply exist is first and foremost. With so many seeking to erase transgender people -- sometimes in the most brutal ways possible -- it is vitally important that those we lose are remembered, and that we continue to fight for justice." - Transgender Day of Remembrance founder Gwendolyn Ann Smith

How can I get involved in the Transgender Day of Remembrance?

Participate in Transgender Day of Remembrance by attending and/or organizing a vigil on November 20 to honor all those transgender people whose lives were lost to anti-transgender violence that year, and learning about the violence affecting the transgender community. Vigils are typically hosted by local transgender advocates or LGBTQ organizations, and held at community centers, parks, places of worship, and other venues. The vigil often involves reading a list of the names of those lost that year.

Please see resources below on how to write stories about transgender people who have been victimized by crime, and additional resources for writing about the violence that affects transgender people, especially transgender women of color.

On Transgender Day of Remembrance, GLAAD remembers the transgender people whose lives have been lost to anti-transgender violence this year and over the years.

Information for media:

GLAAD's Resource Kit for Journalists Covering TDOR

GLAAD's Media Reference Guide

GLAAD's Doubly Victimized: Reporting on Transgender Victims of Crime

GLAAD's More Than a Number - Shifting the Media Narrative on Transgender Homicides

Mic's Unerased: Counting Transgender Lives

Organizations and resources:

Anti-Violence Project

International Transgender Day of Remembrance

National Center for Transgender Equality

Sylvia Rivera Law Project

Trans Women of Color Collective

Transgender Europe's Trans Murder Monitoring Project

Transgender Law Center

TransJustice at the Audre Lorde Project

Reports on violence and discrimination:

Human Rights Campaign's Violence Against the Transgender Community

National Center for Transgender Equality's Discrimination Survey

More information:

Learn more about transgender people on GLAAD's resource page

Learn about Transgender Awareness Week

[angleofmusings]

thinking about how trans awareness week is immediately followed by trans day of remembrance. how our very existence is so deeply intertwined with tragedy. but that it is only one day of mourning, and seven of joy. trans existence might be tied with sorrow, but it is still inherently beautiful.

[steverogersnotebook]

This is set to fly from 11/14 throughout Transgender Day of Remembrance on 11/20.

[sodomyordeath]