Transgender Day of Remembrance: What it is and how to observe it

"So far in 2025, 27 transgender and gender-nonconforming people have died from violence, according to Advocates for Trans Equality's 2025 Remembrance Report seen exclusively by and 21 who died by suicide. Over 61 percent of those lost to suicide were between ages 15 and 24, which follows the Trump administration's decision to end LGBTQ+ youth-specific services through the 988 suicide crisis line."

""As we observe Trans Day of Remembrance, we continue to do the work of advocacy and demand an end to violence against our community," Bahari Thomas, Director of Public Education at Advocates for Trans Equality, said in a statement. "Right-wing extremists are endangering our democracy and our very right to exist. Trans people-especially Black trans women-continue to bear the brunt of discriminatory policies, political scapegoating, and violence. These forces are interconnected and deadly. Trans people deserve more than remembrance; we deserve the chance to live full, joyful, and self-determined lives.""

So far in 2025, 27 transgender and gender-nonconforming people have died from violence and 21 have died by suicide. Over 61 percent of those lost to suicide were ages 15 to 24, following the Trump administration's decision to end LGBTQ+ youth-specific services through the 988 suicide crisis line. Right-wing extremists endanger democracy and the right of transgender people to exist; Black trans women disproportionately face discriminatory policies, political scapegoating, and violence. Transgender Day of Remembrance, founded in 1999 by Gwendolyn Ann Smith to honor Rita Hester, led to Transgender Awareness Week. Hester, 34, was stabbed more than 20 times near the Silhouette Lounge in Boston.

Read at Advocate.com