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Writer's pictureJohn-Michael Scurio

Transgender Day of Remembrance

Monday, November 20, 2023, is the annual Transgender Day of Remembrance to honor the memory of those whose lives were lost in acts of anti-transgender violence.

Monday, November 20, 2023, is the annual Transgender Day of Remembrance to honor the memory of those whose lives were lost in acts of anti-transgender violence.


Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR) was started in 1999 by transgender advocate Gwendolyn Ann Smith as a vigil to honor the memory of Rita Hester, a transgender woman who was killed in 1998. The vigil commemorated all the transgender people lost to violence since Rita Hester’s death and began an important tradition that has become the annual Transgender Day of Remembrance.


Help raise awareness about anti-transgender violence by using the resources available on GLAAD’s Transgender Day of Remembrance website.


The Federal Office for Victim's of Crime (OVC) has some great resources. Learn about some of OVC’s efforts below to support victims who identify as LGBTQIA+.


The OVC Responding to Transgender Victims of Sexual Assault Toolkit provides culturally sensitive, respectful care when working with transgender victims of sexual violence and their families. OVC recently awarded funding to update the toolkit it developed in partnership with OVC in 2014. The updated toolkit will address all major types of violence and crime against transgender individuals, including a focus on the experience of transgender women and girls of color.


The OVC Training and Technical Assistance Center (OVC TTAC) also offers a Victim Assistance Training Online module on “Specific Considerations for Providing Victim Services to LGBTQ Populations.” Sign-up for this free, self-paced training to learn about—

  • language, terms, and concepts commonly used in LGBTQIA+ communities; and

  • the differences between gender identity and sexual orientation; and

  • a historical and legal perspective of LGBTQIA+ rights and recognition; and

  • barriers people in the LGBTQIA+ community face when accessing services; and

  • ways to increase your agency's capacity to effectively serve LGBTQIA+ people.

“Transgender Day of Remembrance seeks to highlight the losses we face due to anti-transgender bigotry and violence. I am no stranger to the need to fight for our rights, and the right to simply exist is first and foremost. With so many seeking to erase transgender people — sometimes in the most brutal ways possible — it is vitally important that those we lose are remembered, and that we continue to fight for justice.” -- Transgender Day of Remembrance founder Gwendolyn Ann Smith

Here in Eureka Springs, Arkansas, our beloved Thorncrown Chapel will host an event in honor of this annual day of remembrance.


On Sunday, November 19, 2023, at 6:00 PM all are welcome to come together at Thorncrown Chapel in Eureka Springs to honor and remember the lives of transgender individuals who have tragically lost their lives to violence.


This event aims to raise awareness about the challenges faced by transgender people and to stand in solidarity with the transgender community.❤️<<Click the image of Thorncrown Chapel for more information.>>

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