Every year on November 20, people around the world observe the Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR). It is a day to honor and remember trans and gender-diverse people who have lost their lives because of anti-trans violence. It is a time to reflect, to mourn, and to recognize the ongoing struggle for safety and equality.
A Day of Reflection and Recognition
TDOR began in 1999 when advocate Gwendolyn Ann Smith created a vigil to honor Rita Hester, a Black trans woman who was murdered in Boston. Her case was never solved. What started as a local act of remembrance has become a global movement for awareness and solidarity.
Each year, communities gather to read names, light candles, and remember those who were taken too soon. These ceremonies are not only moments of mourning but also acts of defiance. They remind the world that trans lives matter, and that silence is never an option.
The Reality Behind the Numbers
Reports from Transgender Europe (TGEU) show that hundreds of trans and gender-diverse people are murdered each year around the world. Many more face daily discrimination, harassment, or rejection. These numbers represent real people with stories, dreams, and families who miss them deeply.
Behind every statistic is a person who deserved to live in safety and dignity. Remembering them calls on all of us to keep pushing for change.
From Mourning to Action
Trans Day of Remembrance is a time to grieve, but also a moment to act. It asks us to look at how we can make the world safer for trans people in our communities.
That can mean:
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Supporting trans-led organizations.
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Speaking up when you see discrimination.
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Learning and listening to trans voices.
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Making schools, workplaces, and homes inclusive.
Small acts of solidarity create ripples that reach further than we think. Want to know more? Read this blogpost: Being an LGBTQIA+ Ally: A Practical Guide.
Raising Awareness for the Next Generation
After remembrance comes awareness. If we want a future where trans people can live freely, we need to start with the new generation.
Teaching kids about gender diversity helps them understand that everyone deserves respect. It can be as simple as reading inclusive stories, using someone’s chosen name, or showing empathy toward difference.
By normalizing acceptance early, we raise a generation that will not need days of remembrance, only days of celebration.
Remembering, and Rebuilding
Today we remember those who should still be here. In their honor, we keep building a kinder world where every trans person, including every child, can live without fear.
Awareness begins with compassion, and compassion begins with us.
