November 20th is Transgender Day of Remembrance
Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR) was started in 1999 by transgender advocate Gwendolyn Ann Smith as a vigil to honor the memory of Rita Hester, a transgender woman who was killed in 1998. The vigil commemorated all the transgender people lost to violence since Rita Hester’s death, and began an important tradition that has become the annual Transgender Day of Remembrance.
As an organization committed to providing a comfortable and honest space in which anyone can express themselves along the spectrum of gender and sexuality, we hold this day with deep respect and care. TDOR is not only a remembrance, it is a recognition of the systemic forces that make trans lives, particularly the lives of Black, Brown, Indigenous, femme, disabled, and unhoused trans people, especially vulnerable to violence.
While TDOR plays an important role in naming and resisting anti-trans violence, we feel it is important to call out that Trans people are much more than the circumstances of their deaths. Their lives hold joy, humor, community, creativity, resistance, and love. Any remembrance that fails to acknowledge that fullness is incomplete.
Together, we mourn deeply, honor fully, and fight boldly for trans futures.
Holding Space for Grief, Care, and Collective Resistance
On this Transgender Day of Remembrance, we offer our deepest sympathy to all who are mourning, whether you are grieving someone you knew personally or making space for the weight of community grief. We invite you to honor TDOR in whatever way feels safest and most grounded.
Thursday, November 20th, our friends at the Q Center will hold a TDOR vigil beginning at 7pm.
Queer Social Club is another great resource to find more opportunities to be in community.
Resources for Learning, Healing, and Support
Community & Advocacy
Basic Rights Oregon: Their mission is to ensure that all LGBTQ2SIA+ Oregonians experience equality by building a broad and inclusive politically powerful movement, shifting public opinion, and achieving policy victories.
Data & Reporting
Pride in Numbers: The largest ever independent and community led Two-Spirit, and LGBTQIA+ research project in Oregon.
Mental Health & Crisis Support