November 16: Trans Day of Remembrance

From the Division of Diversity and Inclusion and LGBTQIA+ Student Services:

Structural systems as we know it are continuing to fail the transgender community when it comes to their acceptance, safety, and place in society. Theorists C. Riley Snorton and Jin Haritaworn have forewarned the dangers of circulating images and narratives centering on the deaths of trans people of color—most particularly transfeminine people of color. This phenomenon is a form of conditioning that legitimizes the bodies of transfeminine individuals only after death without being cognizant of their gender identity and position as a woman in society. As a result, we are prevented from seeing the impacts of structural transphobia, racism, and violence until it is too late.

The week of November 13 to 19 is dedicated as Trans Awareness Week where various individuals and organizations bring attention to public education, policy change, and community efforts to address the complex causes of anti-trans violence and ensure victims can receive support.

Trans Day of Remembrance is an annual observance on November 20 that memorializes the lives of our trans siblings who we’ve lost over the past year. It was started in 1999 by trans activist Gwendolyn Ann Smith as a vigil to honor the memory of Rita Hester, a woman of trans experience who was killed in 1998. Trans Day of Remembrance has become an important tradition in the LGBTQIA+ community as women, especially Black and Brown women, continue to face anti-trans violence, racism and misogyny.

As we continue to uplift the voices and lived experiences of the trans community, we encourage you to think critically and intentionally about your engagement and activism when it comes to creating trans-inclusive spaces—both on and off campus.