The Transgender Day of Remembrance

The Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR) was set aside to memorialize those who were killed due to anti-transgender hatred or prejudice. The event is held in November to honor Rita Hester, whose murder on November 28th, 1998 kicked off the "Remembering Our Dead" Web project and a San Francisco candlelight vigil in 1999. Rita Hester's murder — like most anti-transgender murder cases — has yet to be solved.

The Transgender Day of Remembrance serves several purposes. It raises public awareness of hate crimes against transgendered people, an action that current media doesn't perform. Day of Remembrance publicly mourns and honors the lives of our brothers and sisters who might otherwise be forgotten. Through the vigil, we express love and respect for our people in the face of national indifference and hatred. Day of Remembrance reminds non-transgendered people that we are their sons, daughters, parents, friends and lovers. Day of Remembrance gives our allies a chance to step forward with us and stand in vigil, memorializing those of us who've died by anti-transgender violence.

Although not every person represented during the Day of Remembrance self-identified as transgendered — that is, as a transsexual, crossdresser, or otherwise gender-variant — each was a victim of violence based on bias against transgendered people.

Over the last decade, more than one person per month has died due to transgender-based hate or prejudice.  Many of those we remember were woman, many were sex workers, two were denied medical treatment and died of HIV/AIDs related complications, many were women of color, one was detained regarding her immigrant status and died in custody, some were as young as 20-years-old. There are many pieces for us to recognize and act upon that enable violence and discrimination, as well as life difficulties, to exist. 

We also remember acts of love and courage as evidenced by Web posts dedicated to lost loved ones and family members; vigils held in the honor of those murdered; in one case, the acts of courage by fellow detainees who protested in the hopes of medical intervention for a transgendered woman; and the many hours and voices of friends, community members, and organizations dedicated to honoring our lives, ending systems of discrimination, and bringing the murderers to justice.

In part, this information was adapted from and can be referenced at www.gender.org

This heartfelt work is based on a song written by Nancy Nangeroni, and was produced by Gordene MacKenzie with Nancy. It includes footage from the actual candlelight vigil for Rita Hester, as well as additional footage shot by Gordene and Nancy. It also includes, at the beginning and end, the voices of Rita's mom and brother, recorded on GenderTalk radio.