The month of November is Transgender Awareness Month, with Transgender Awareness Week running Nov. 13-19, leading to Trans gender Day of Remembrance on Nov. 20.
Trans Day of Remembrance is an annual internationally recognized day for trans people and their allies to honor and remember trans individuals who have been lost.
The day was founded in 1999 to recognize the 1998 killing of Rita Hester. Trans activist Gwendolyn Smith organized the event to honor Hester’s life and the lives of other transgender individuals who had been lost to violence and transphobia; the day has grown to much more 23 years later.
Transgender individuals face an epidemic of violence and face a much higher chance of experiencing violence compared to cisgender individuals.
According to a study produced by the UCLA Williams Institute School of Law in March 2021, transgender individuals are four times more likely to be victims of violent crime compared to cisgender individuals.
Some of these violent crimes result in murder. In 2021, the Human Rights Campaign recorded 50 murders, and this number is likely much larger due to the fact that many trans deaths are misreported because individuals are misgendered; Some deaths are not reported at all.
Trans individuals are also more likely to commit suicide compared to cisgender individuals due to heightened discrimination in workplaces, school settings, public spaces, online, home and other locations.
The fear of violence and rejection faced by trans individuals forces many to hide their trans identity due to safety concerns. Trans Day of Remembrance is a step towards one-day finding acceptance not only within ourselves but within the rest of the world.
“We pay tribute to those taken by fear and prejudice. We support those struggling and living their lives in that same fear. We advocate to hopefully eradicate the ignorance and prejudice so that trans people can live their lives happily and comfortably amongst everyone,” said a student who wishes to remain anonymous.
The day is not only a day to mourn, but a day to celebrate the beauty of the trans community, to celebrate a long and rich history, and to celebrate a hopeful future.
“It’s a day to show courage and togetherness, to promote acceptance, and to honor those that have been taken,” said another student who wishes to remain anonymous. “I struggled, I still do. There were times when I wanted to give up, but I had good family support, not everyone has that. I managed to push through my darkest days. Trans Day of Remembrance helps me to realize how far I’ve come and how I can be there for others.”
It is a day filled with courage, strength, and a willingness to fight for a better and kinder world.
Trans Day of Remembrance is a day for family, togetherness, and love.
Often candlelight vigils are held each year on Trans Day of Remembrance to honor those that people knew, respected, felt a kinship to, and/or loved dearly. To celebrate, remember, and honor this year on Transgender Day of Remembrance people who consider themselves to be allies to the trans community can also do their research regarding trans issues; organizations like GLAAD, GLSEN, The Human Rights Campaign, and The National Center for Transgender Equality provide extensive resources. Individuals should listen to, uplift, and make way for transgender voices, so that one day trans individuals will be loved, accepted, and embraced by the world they live in
Editor’s Note: The Collegian has a policy not to use anonymous sources, but has chosen to include them because of the nature of the story and the safety of those interviewed.
Resources For Trans Individuals:
- Delta Pride Center: located in Danner 202B
- San Joaquin Pride Center: provides local support groups for trans, gender non-conforming (GNC), and queer people
- Trevor Project: provides a safe help line that connects you to a
counselor 24/7 1-866-488-7386.
- Black Trans Advocacy: provides healthcare and employment
services
- Trans Lifeline: provides microgrants for trans people in crisis and a hotline for trans people and family/friends (877) 565-8860
- Point of Pride: provides free binders, free femme shapewear, permanent hair removal services access, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) fund, gender-affirming surgery fund
- National Center for Transgender Equality: “Know Your rights” section provides legal information for trans individuals
- Planned Parenthood: provides gender affirming care/HRT
- Folx: affordable HRT and LGBTQ+ health care without insurance
- Trans Law Center: provides legal information for trans individuals
Tips for Trans Allies:
- Acknowledge intersectionality: Black and Latina trans women experience a much greater rate of violence compared to white and/or male passing trans people
- Do not be the loudest voice in the room: Do not speak over trans people; just because your are an ally doesn’t mean that you know everything
- Introduce yourself with your pronouns: if only trans people are introducing themselves with their pronouns this can be isolating and could create a target
- Don’t make assumptions: you can’t assume someone’s gender identity just by looking at them; if you don’t know ask politely
- Vote for candidates who support trans rights: this year has seen record numbers of
anti-trans bills both proposed and passed
- Do your research: Learn about the trans
community, their history, and how you can be a good ally today