Transgender Day of Remembrance
United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, France, Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, Italy, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Switzerland, Austria, Portugal, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Mexico, Colombia, South Africa, India, Philippines, Japan, Taiwan
About
Transgender Day of Remembrance, observed on November 20, honors transgender and gender-diverse people whose lives were lost to anti-transgender violence. It is a solemn occasion to remember those who are no longer with us, recognize the humanity and dignity of every person, and reflect on the discrimination and prejudice that can place transgender communities at risk.
The day also invites people everywhere to learn, show solidarity, and speak out against hate and violence. Through vigils, memorials, education, and moments of reflection, communities come together to keep these lives from being forgotten and to help build a safer, more inclusive future for all.
History
Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR) is observed annually on **November 20** to honor transgender and gender-diverse people who have lost their lives to anti-transgender violence. Its origins are commonly traced to the 1998 killing of Rita Hester, a Black transgender woman in Boston. Hester’s death prompted community members to organize a vigil and call attention to the widespread lack of media coverage and public recognition surrounding violence against transgender people.
In 1999, transgender advocate Gwendolyn Ann Smith organized what became the first Transgender Day of Remembrance observance. The event commemorated Rita Hester and other transgender people who had been killed, while also creating a public record of lives that might otherwise have been forgotten. Over time, communities in the United States and other countries adopted November 20 as a day for vigils, memorial services, educational programs, marches, and the reading of victims’ names.
The observance evolved from a local response to one person’s death into an international remembrance of victims of anti-transgender violence. Activists, families, LGBTQ+ organizations, faith communities, schools, and public institutions now mark the day in different ways. Many observances draw attention to patterns affecting transgender people, including harassment, discrimination, homelessness, and violence, while emphasizing that the available statistics may be incomplete because victims’ identities are sometimes misreported or overlooked.
TDOR has both commemorative and advocacy-focused significance. It provides a space to mourn, recognize the dignity and humanity of transgender people, and support those affected by violence and loss. At the same time, the day encourages communities to confront prejudice and work toward safer conditions for transgender people. Although **November 20** is centered on remembrance, its broader purpose is to connect mourning with continued efforts for justice, visibility, and equal protection.