Transgender Day of Remembrance: Remembering, Celebrating, and Advocating for Change
Written by Alix do Norte and Katherine Nohar
On November 20th, communities worldwide come together for Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR), a day meant to honor the memory of transgender people whose lives have been lost to violence and suicide. This is also a day that serves as both memorial and a moment of reflection; it is a day to remind us to recognize the everyday struggle for safety and equality that the transgender community faces. We want to recognize all those whose lives were cut short. This link recognizes those 63 individuals, serving as a place where we can remember the names of those known to have been killed this year in the United States and all those from around the globe.
The number of reported murders of trans people globally continues to rise, and in the United States, violence is not limited to individual acts of hate, but those actions that minimize the lives of this community and create harmful practices. The year 2024 has seen record breaking anti-trans legislation with 665 bills introduced in nearly every state. This has been part of an alarming trend of increasing state-sanctioned denial of the rights and freedoms of trans people. Though many proposals have failed, many have passed; weakening or eliminating civil rights protections, access to critical, lifesaving healthcare, and dismantling what sense of safety may exist.
Many people who are victims of life-ending hate crimes are transgender women of color who face compounded discrimination, placing them at higher risk. The impact of this cannot be understated – to the violence of individual actors, to state-permitted violence, we are at a crucial moment where more than ever, we need to educate ourselves, find opportunities for allyship and take care of each other.
The Trevor Project, the leading suicide prevention and crisis intervention organization that works with LGBTQ+ communities, held their 2024 US National Survey on the Mental Health of LGBTQ+ Young People, and the results show worrying indicators. 47% of trans women, 52% of trans men, and 43% of nonbinary/genderqueer people have considered suicide in the past year, with 14%, 18%, and 13% of those surveyed, respectively, attempting suicide in the past year. Those surveyed contribute suicidal ideation to an increasingly hostile social climate towards the trans community.
Remembering those lost and holding close those who are harmed by these tragic losses is an act of resistance and solidarity. It reminds us why continued advocacy and allyship are essential to combat the systemic barriers that perpetuate violence and inequality.
The stories from the LGBTQ+ community should ignite us to call for justice and equality, ensuring we take meaningful action toward creating a safer, more inclusive world.
Transgender Day of Remembrance is also a day to celebrate the resilience and invaluable contributions of transgender people to society broadly, throughout history. Trans figures like Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera, key leaders of the Stonewall uprising of 1969, remind us of the pivotal role that trans people have played in advocating for and shaping the movement for LGBTQ+ rights.
Marsha’s courage and commitment laid the groundwork for much of the progress seen in the movement today. Her legacy lives on with every pride event onwards, from the formal organizing of nonprofit institutions to community actions of everyday people – every act of advocacy, no matter how large or small, matters.
Sylvia, a passionate advocate for marginalized communities within the LGBTQ+ spectrum, co-founded the Gay Liberation Front and Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries (STAR), and reminds us of the importance of intersectionality and inclusion within advocacy efforts.
We also honor Lou Sullivan, a pioneering transgender activist and author who fought for visibility and the recognition for transgender men. His work has inspired countless people and continues to be a beacon for those navigating their identity.
As we commemorate this day, let us commit to honoring the memory of those lost by amplifying the voices of transgender communities, supporting policies that protect them, and fostering environments where every person can live authentically and without fear.
As a community familiar with supporting and uplifting our nation’s most vulnerable people – our neighbors – we have the responsibility and ability to continue the work we do to make a more equitable and just future. Together, we can turn remembrance into action, ensuring that future generations will inherit a world where acceptance and safety are not privileges but rights.
An injustice anywhere is an injustice everywhere.
Resources
Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund (TLDEF) – Provides legal assistance and advocacy for transgender rights.
National Center for Transgender Equality (NCTE) – Works to change policies and society to increase understanding and acceptance of transgender people.
The Trevor Project – Offers crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to LGBTQ+ youth, including a specific focus on transgender individuals.
GLAAD – Focuses on media advocacy to shape the narrative and increase visibility of transgender people.
Sylvia Rivera Law Project – Provides legal support and advocacy to guarantee all people are free to self-determine their gender identity and expression.
Trans Lifeline – A trans-led organization that offers a crisis hotline and support for transgender individuals.
PFLAG – Provides support, education, and advocacy for LGBTQ+ individuals and their families, with resources for allies.
Black Trans Advocacy Coalition (BTAC) – Dedicated to improving the lived experience of Black trans people.
The Marsha P. Johnson Institute – Protects and defends the rights of Black transgender people through advocacy and community-building.
Point of Pride – Provides resources like free chest binders and financial assistance for gender-affirming surgery.
HRC Foundation - The Human Rights Campaign works to educate the public about the transgender community and provides resources for transgender and non-binary people to live their fullest lives.
Have you used PA Navigate? Many Community Based Organizations including The Trevor Project and local LGBTQ+ support organizations have information available.