What Is Transgender Day of Remembrance?
Transgender Day of Remembrance, a day which is used to honor and remember transgender individuals who have lost their lives to violence.The Williams Institute at UCLA Law estimates that there are 1.6 million people in the U.S.
aged 13 and older who identify are being transgender.As people around the world get ready to mark and celebrate the day, Newsweek looks at its history and its importance.Transgender Day of Remembrance is marked on November 20 every year and is about remembering and mourning those transgender individuals who lost their lives to violence.It was founded in 1999, in order to honor Rita Hester, a transgender African-American woman who was killed in Massachusetts.
It was founded by Gwendolyn Ann Smith, a transgender activist and writer. Though it originated in the U.S., it has expanded globally.The day marks the end of Transgender Awareness Week, which is used to raise awareness and knowledge about the transgender community.Events, including candlelight vigils and memorials, are held to mark the day.Memorials typically include readings of names of people who have died between October 1 of the former year, to September 30 of the current year.The Transgender Day of Remembrance is about remembering, mourning and honoring transgender individuals who lost their lives to violence.
The Transgender Day of Visibility is about celebration and visibility for the living transgender community.Transgender Day of Visibility, observed annually on March 31, focuses on celebrating transgender people, their achievements, and their contributions to society.It is a day of positivity and empowerment, aimed at increasing the visibility of transgender individuals while addressing the discrimination and challenges they continue to face.Created in 2009 by activist Rachel Crandall, it highlights the importance of celebrating living transgender people and their identities.
