Transgender Day of Remembrance is observed every Nov. 20 to honor Rita Hester and raise awareness about the violence faced by the transgender community. The Williams Institute at UCLA Law estimates that there are 1.6 million transgender individuals in the U.S., who are at a higher risk of being victims of violence. The day is marked with candlelight vigils and events, and the Human Rights Campaign releases an annual report on deaths of transgender individuals.
At least 36 transgender people have died from violence in the past year, with a total of 372 deaths recorded since 2013. Many cases go unreported or misgendered, leading to delays in identification. Black transgender women make up half of the identified victims, with the youngest being 14-year-old Pauly Likens. Firearms were used in two-thirds of the cases, with many victims killed by intimate partners, friends, or family members.
Politically, the transgender community faces setbacks following the election of Republican candidates who have focused on issues like transgender athletes. Half of the states have banned gender-affirming medical care for transgender youth, and the Supreme Court is set to hear arguments on a lawsuit challenging Tennessee’s ban. Advocates fear that this legislation and rhetoric could lead to an increase in violence against transgender individuals and create fewer safe spaces for them.
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