Transgender Day of Remembrance honors the innocent souls whose lives were lost in acts of hate

On November 20th of each year, we remember all of the brave members of the transgender community whose lives were lost due to acts of anti-transgender violence.

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Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR) is an annual observance that honors the memory of all these victims. The day was started by transgender advocate Gwendolyn Ann Smith in 1999, as a vigil to honor Rita Hester, a transgender woman murdered the year before in Massachusetts.

Unfortunately, since 1999, violence against the transgender community is on the rise. According to reports, in 2015, 27 transgender people have been murdered in the US. alone.

Around the world, vigils will commemorate all those who have lost their lives to transgender-related violence. Hundreds of cities across the US will hold vigils on Friday, November 20th. Visit this website to find a location near you, and take the time to pay your respects to these souls whose lives were lost in the name of heartbreaking violence.

Learn more about the murder of a transgender Filipino woman, Jennifer Laude:

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