Transgender Day of Remembrance: Honoring Lives, Carrying Legacies Forward
Every year on November 20, communities around the world gather to observe Transgender Day of Remembrance. It is a solemn day: a day to honor the transgender and gender-diverse people whose lives have been lost to anti-transgender violence.
While the day is rooted in mourning, it is also about memory, resistance, and love. Remembering those who came before us is an act of collective strength. Understanding the significance of Transgender Day of Remembrance is crucial in a world where trans people still face discrimination, erasure, and violence.
This year’s Transgender Day of Remembrance carries special weight following the recent passing of Miss Major Griffin-Gracy, a beloved transgender elder, activist, and icon. Miss Major was a survivor of the Stonewall uprising and spent her life advocating fiercely for Black trans women, incarcerated trans people, and those living on society’s margins. Her legacy lives on in every act of remembrance and resistance.
Why is there a Transgender Day of Remembrance?
To understand the purpose of Transgender Day of Remembrance, we have to look at its origins. The day was founded in 1999 by activist Gwendolyn Ann Smith to honor the memory of Rita Hester, a Black transgender woman who was murdered in Massachusetts in 1998.
Her death, like so many others, was met with silence and inadequate coverage by mainstream media. In response, the community came together to say her name, honor her life, and acknowledge the systemic violence faced by transgender people. What began as a local vigil has grown into a global day of remembrance.
Transgender Day of Remembrance exists because far too many transgender people, especially transgender women of color, have lost their lives to transphobic violence. It is a reminder of the urgent need for justice, visibility, and protection. It is also a space to center trans voices, celebrate resilience, and affirm that trans lives matter.
How to observe the Transgender Day of Remembrance
There is no single way to observe Transgender Day of Remembrance, but across the world, communities mark this day through vigils, community gatherings, public art, online memorials, and moments of silence.
Some meaningful ways to participate include:
Attending a vigil or memorial service: These gatherings often involve reading the names of transgender people who have lost their lives in the past year. It’s a powerful, grounding act of community witness.
Learning and amplifying trans voices: Share resources, art, and stories from transgender creators, activists, and organizations. Education is a powerful tool against erasure.
Supporting trans-led initiatives: Donate to organizations working to protect trans rights and provide direct support to trans communities, especially trans women of color.
Creating personal rituals: Some people light candles, journal, or gather with friends to reflect on the significance of Transgender Day of Remembrance in their own lives.
Honoring Miss Major’s legacy can also be part of this observance. She dedicated her life to uplifting trans communities, particularly those most marginalized. Carrying her spirit forward means not only remembering the dead but also fighting fiercely for the living.
When did they start celebrating Transgender Day of Remembrance?
Transgender Day of Remembrance began in 1999 and has grown steadily ever since. What started as a community vigil in Massachusetts is now commemorated in cities and towns across the globe.
Each year, the list of names read grows longer, a heartbreaking reminder of the violence transgender people continue to face. But alongside the grief is a growing network of support, visibility, and solidarity. Governments, schools, community centers, and faith groups are increasingly recognizing Transgender Day of Remembrance as an essential part of the broader human rights conversation.
The observance has evolved into both a day of mourning and a call to action. It’s not just about looking back; it’s about committing to a future where trans lives are valued, protected, and celebrated.
Final thoughts: Remembering, resisting, and continuing the work
Transgender Day of Remembrance is a day of mourning, yes, but it is also a day of community power. Remembering those we’ve lost keeps their stories alive. Speaking their names refuses the silence that so often follows violence.
As we honor this year’s Transgender Day of Remembrance, we also remember Miss Major, a towering figure whose life was a testament to courage and care. Her passing is a profound loss, but her legacy lives on in the movements she shaped and the lives she touched.
At Freelife, we stand with transgender communities not just today, but every day. Observing Transgender Day of Remembrance is one way to affirm that trans lives matter, trans futures matter, and collective memory can fuel collective change.
