Transgender Day of Remembrance, observed annually on November 20, serves as a solemn occasion to pay tribute to transgender individuals who have tragically lost their lives due to violence. The day originated in 1999 to commemorate Rita Hester, a transgender woman who was fatally attacked in Massachusetts.
Preceded by Transgender Awareness Week, which aims to raise awareness about the challenges faced by the transgender community, this day sheds light on the alarming rates of violence targeting transgender individuals. According to the Williams Institute at UCLA Law, over 1.5 million transgender individuals aged 13 and above reside in the U.S., with statistics indicating that they are more than four times as likely to fall victim to violence.
