November 20 is the International Transgender Day of Remembrance. A day dedicated to the memory of those who have been murdered, victims of transphobia, hatred and fear of transgender and gender non-conforming people, as well as to remember the continuous violence suffered by the transgender community. How did it come about? International Trans Day of […]
November 20 is the International Transgender Day of Remembrance. A day dedicated to the memory of those who have been murdered, victims of transphobia, hatred and fear of transgender and gender non-conforming people, as well as to remember the continuous violence suffered by the transgender community.
How did it come about?
International Trans Day of Remembrance was created in 1998 by Gwendolyn Ann Smith, a transgender woman, graphic designer, columnist and activist in memory of the murder of Rita Hester.
Rita Hester response to her murder and the lack of respect shown to the victim by the media, grief and outrage prompted a vigil, in which some 250 people participated. The vigil inspired not only TDoR, but also the “Remembering Our Dead” Internet project.
About transgender people
Transgender is an umbrella term that defines people whose gender identity, gender expression or behavior does not conform to that generally associated with the sex they were assigned at birth.
Gender identity refers to a person’s personal experience of being male, female or different; gender expression refers to the way a person communicates his or her gender identity to others through behavior, dress, hairstyles, voice or body characteristics.
Unfortunately there is still a long way to go in the fight for our rights.