Transgender Day of Remembrance 2024: Honoring Lives Lost to Anti-Trans Violence

Today, November 20, 2024, marks the 25th annual Transgender Day of Remembrance, a day dedicated to honoring the lives of transgender and gender-diverse individuals who have been lost to violence and prejudice. This observance was initiated in 1999 to commemorate the death of Rita Hester, a trans woman who was murdered in Massachusetts on November 28, 1998.

The day concludes Transgender Awareness Week, which aims to raise public awareness about the transgender community and the challenges they face. According to the Williams Institute at UCLA Law, there are over 1.5 million transgender people in the U.S. aged 13 and older, and they are more than four times more likely to be victims of violence than the general population.

This year’s remembrance is particularly poignant, with reports indicating a significant rise in anti-trans violence. The Human Rights Campaign has documented at least 36 transgender people in the U.S. who have died from violence in the past 12 months, with Black transgender women making up half of these victims. The youngest victim identified was 14-year-old Pauly Likens of Pennsylvania.

Globally, the Trans Murder Monitoring project by Transgender Europe and Central Asia (TGEU) has reported that more than 350 trans and gender-diverse people were killed between October 1, 2023, and September 30, 2024. This number includes a disproportionate percentage of Black trans people and trans sex workers, highlighting the intersections of racism, xenophobia, and prejudice.

The violence against transgender people is often fueled by hateful rhetoric and legislation. In the U.S., half of the states have banned gender-affirming medical care for transgender youth, and the U.S. Supreme Court is set to hear arguments on a lawsuit challenging Tennessee’s ban. Advocates argue that such measures create fewer safe spaces for transgender people and may increase violence against them.

Technology-facilitated gender-based violence is also a significant concern. Amnesty International has highlighted the impact of online hate speech and harassment on the mental health and well-being of transgender individuals, often forcing them into isolation and exacerbating feelings of loneliness and distress.

Candlelight vigils, memorials, and other events are being held worldwide to mark the day and draw attention to the ongoing struggle for trans rights. Advocates are calling for immediate action to counter anti-trans hate speech and attacks, emphasizing the need for strong hate-crime legislation and greater accountability from social media companies).