"Over the last decade, more than one person per month has died due to transgender-based hate or prejudice, regardless of any other factors in their lives. This trend shows no sign of abating.
The Transgender Day of Remembrance serves several purposes. It raises public awareness of hate crimes against transgender people, an action that current media doesn’t perform. Day of Remembrance publicly mourns and honors the lives of our brothers and sisters who might otherwise be forgotten."
I don't have much to add, but I would like to light a candle in solidarity, vigil, and respect for transgender women and men who have been killed because of their identities, who have been victims of violence, and who live in fear of violence and harassment.
I would also like to note that on November 17, Chicago's transgender, bisexual, lesbian, and gay community lost Lois Bates, an African-American transwoman, leader, mentor, and activist highly involved in many overlapping communities. Her death, according to news reports, does not seem to have been violence-related, but each year she hosted a Transgender Day of Remembrance event in Chicago and was set to host today's event.
My heart goes out to her friends, family, and colleagues.
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