The Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR) is internationally recognized on November 20th every year. This day 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 transgender people;  it is a day to  publicly mourn and honors the lives of our members of our community who might otherwise be forgotten. Through the vigil, we express love and respect for our people in the face of public indifference and hatred.

TDOR reminds non-transgender people that we are people too. This day 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.

#TDOR