As communities come together to commemorate Transgender Day of Remembrance, I find myself reflecting on the lives lost, the struggles faced, and the resilience of my trans siblings. This day holds a profound significance for me, as it serves as a painful reminder of the disproportionate inequity, discrimination, and violence that trans individuals, particularly Black and Brown trans individuals, continue to endure.

Though the trans experience is not a monolith, the difficult and sometimes painful journeys we navigate in life weave us together. We navigate a world that fails to acknowledge the intersectionality of our identities. The statistics are stark and disheartening. This year, 26 lives were taken too soon, only incensed by the spate of anti-transgender legislation. The numbers, however, only tell part of the story. Behind each statistic is a human being – a sibling, a colleague, a friend – whose life was tragically cut short.

Transgender Day of Remembrance is a solemn occasion to honor their memories, but it must also serve as a call to action. This day, dedicated to remembering those we have lost, prompts a crucial question:

(SOURCE) https://www.advocate.com/voices/transgender-day-of-remembrance-2023