Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR) is an annual observance on November 20 that honors the memory of those whose lives were lost in acts of anti-transgender violence.
“The Transgender Day of Remembrance seeks to highlight the losses we face due to anti-transgender bigotry and violence. I am no stranger to the need to fight for our rights, and the right to simply exist is first and foremost. With so many seeking to erase transgender people — sometimes in the most brutal ways possible — it is vitally important that those we lose are remembered, and that we continue to fight for justice.” – Transgender Day of Remembrance founder Gwendolyn Ann Smith
Check out 4 of our top posts from the past year that tackle issues of violence against transgender people. (Notice how often the word “now” appears in the titles?) And for more info on TDOR, go here.
1. When Every Summer Is Your Own Personal ‘Summer Of Sam’: On the Taking of Black Trans Women’s Lives And How To Stop It Now, by Shaadi Devereaux
Recently, after one of those weekly conversations where your mother asks if you’re dating anyone, I decided I deserved the dairy therapy. On my way back from getting ice cream, I noticed a guy following me from the shop. Another two blocks and suddenly he appeared again, heading me off from around the corner. My alarms were raised. He said he recognized me from ‘before’ at a community event where I had discussed being a trans woman. I picked up the pace, hoping he would get the hint. My heart racing, I took off my heels and decided to take my chance with the pavement. I passed the police station. I had already gotten into it with the local cops when they profiled me for sex work for being out too late, while waiting for the pedestrian light to change on my way home from work. I made it back, chained my door and decided a new route home was needed. No more frivolous trips. Work, grocery store, home. No more heels. Only trainers.
2. This Is Why Everyone Cheering Gay Marriage Should Stand With the White House “Heckler” Now, by Bea Fonseca
This past Wednesday, my trans latina sister, Jennicet Gutierrez, made national headlines when she interrupted President Barack Obama during the White House Pride reception. As a trans latina myself, seeing the way that the mostly white, gay community responded to her was the most painful and outrageous aspect of the event. Trans women of color like Jennicet have been on the front lines of the struggle for queer and trans liberation since the birth of our movement.
3. Do the Work: This is How You Can Support Trans Women of Color Right Now, by Princess Harmony Rodriguez
On 5/18, I saw heartbreaking news flood my Facebook timeline. Philadelphia’s committed body of trans activists, many of them of color, were talking about a trans woman’s murder. Her name was, and still is, Londyn Chanel. She was 21 years old.
4. BGD’s MagniFLY! Project For Trans Women of Color Presents “Bustin’ Out: From Solitary To ReEntry” by Janetta Johnson
Do not republish anything from this site without express written permission from BGD. For more info, go here.
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