tdor2008

November 20, 1999 was the first Trans Day of Remembrance. The day was created to raise awareness about violence against trans folks and challenge transphobia. Commonly, a vigil is held where the names of trans folks who are missing or murdered is read aloud.

Inspiration
On November 28, 1998 Rita Hester was murdered in Allston, Massachusetts. A vigil was held in her honour the following Friday, December 4th 1998 and was attended by 250 people. San Francisco trans activist Gwendolyn Ann Smith was inspired and started the blog “Remembering Our Dead” to pay homage to trans lives lost.

Legacy
Trans Day of Remembrance (TDOR) is now an international day of action celebrated by 185 cities on November 20, 2010. The event is typically a part of a trans awareness week and can include poetry readings, workshops and protests along with the memorial.

Links
http://www.transgenderdor.org/
http://www.rememberingourdead.org/