Transgender

Day of Remembrance

Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDoR) is observed annually on November 20th. It is a day for remembering and honoring all trans, gender diverse, intersex, and non-binary people who've lost their lives during the past year due to anti-transgender violence.


History

Rita Hester, an African-American transgender woman, was murdered in Allston, Massachusetts, on November 28, 1998. As a result of the outpouring of grief and anger over her death, a candlelight vigil was held the next Friday, December 4th, in which approximately 250 people attended. Coverage of Hester's life and identity was not covered respectfully by local papers. Her death inspired the creation of the "Remembering Our Dead" web project.

The Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDoR) was founded in 1999 by small group, including transgender advocate Gwendolyn Ann Smith, as a vigil to honor the memory of Hester and to commemorate all the transgender people who had lost their lives to anti-transgender violence since Hester's death.

Typical TDoR vigils still commemorate trans, gender diverse, intersex, and non-binary people who have lost their lives during the past year due to anti-transgender violence through a reading of their names.


US Government Recognition

On April 04, 2021, President Joseph Biden issued a Presidential Memorandum on Advancing the Human Rights of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Intersex Persons Around the World. This memorandum directed all agencies engaged abroad to ensure that US diplomacy and foreign assistance promotes and protects the human rights of LGBTQI+ persons.

On November 19, 2021, Secretary of Stated Antony J. Blinken issued a press release, On Transgender Day of Remembrance, commemorating TDoR and honoring lives lost.



If you are interested in learning more about this year's TGI Network of RI TDoR event, please email: tdor.rhodeisland@gmail.com.