Today marks the 14th International Transgender Day of Remembrance, a day to memorialize those who were killed due to anti-transgender hatred or prejudice. My thoughts are with all of the transgender community today, their parents, and their children.
In 2012 alone, 51 people have been killed around the world based on their real or perceived transgender identity. That’s 51 too many.
The Day of Remembrance was founded by Gwendolyn Ann Smith in 1998 to honor Rita Hester, murdered on November 28th, 1998 in Allston, Massachusetts. The Boston Globe has a good profile of Hester and a history of the commemoration.
For a list of local observances, see transgenderdor.org. Whether you attend one or not, today is a good day to reflect on what we each can do to end the violence, starting with simple conversations to help spread understanding.