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Vigil for murdered transgender teenager Brianna Ghey in Cornwall, U.K. (March 21, 2022).
Transgender Day of Remembrance honors those we've lost while celebrating what they've accomplished.
As transgender people continue to face physical and political violence, Transgender day of Remembrance will continue to honor those we've lost — and all they've achieved in spite of hardship.
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So far in 2025, 27 transgender and gender-nonconforming people have died from violence, according to Advocates for Trans Equality's 2025 Remembrance Report seen exclusively by The Advocate, and 21 who died by suicide. Over 61 percent of those lost to suicide were between ages 15 and 24, which follows the Trump administration's decision to end LGBTQ+ youth-specific services through the 988 suicide crisis line.
"As we observe Trans Day of Remembrance, we continue to do the work of advocacy and demand an end to violence against our community," Bahari Thomas, Director of Public Education at Advocates for Trans Equality, said in a statement. "Right-wing extremists are endangering our democracy and our very right to exist. Trans people—especially Black trans women—continue to bear the brunt of discriminatory policies, political scapegoating, and violence. These forces are interconnected and deadly. Trans people deserve more than remembrance; we deserve the chance to live full, joyful, and self-determined lives.”
The Human Rights Campaign's Tori Cooper, director of strategic outreach and training, said in a statement that the "plague of violence" against the transgender community robs society of friends and loved ones.
“Our entire trans community bears the scars of these horrible losses, and it is time for our leaders to ensure that trans people, and all people, are protected by the same policies and procedures. Our lives are as valuable as everyone else,” Cooper said.
Whether you're a member of the community or ally, here's what you should know about TDOR and how you can observe it.
Transgender Day of Remembrance, which takes place annually on November 20, was founded in 1999 by activist Gwendolyn Ann Smith to honor Rita Hester, a trans woman who was murdered in 1998, and all those lost to anti-trans violence. The day led to the creation of Transgender Awareness Week, which occurs the same week each year.
Hester, who was 34, was stabbed more than 20 times on her way home from the Silhouette Lounge, a cocktail bar in Boston that was less than a 5-minute walk from her apartment. Her cased remains unsolved to this day. The city named a park in the same area after her in July this year, which includes a plaque commemorating the date.
Many organizations hold vigils on Transgender Day of Remembrance
There are many national organizations working to support the trans community, including:
For community-based organizations, there are:
If you or someone you know needs mental health resources and support, please call, text, or chat with the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline or visit 988lifeline.org for 24/7 access to free and confidential services. Trans Lifeline, designed for transgender or gender-nonconforming people, can be reached at (877) 565-8860. The lifeline also provides resources to help with other crises, such as domestic violence situations. The Trevor Project Lifeline, for LGBTQ+ youth (ages 24 and younger), can be reached at (866) 488-7386. Users can also access chat services at TheTrevorProject.org/Help or text START to 678678.
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