Transgender Day of Remembrance is held annually on November 20th, to memorialize those who have been killed due to anti-transgender hatred or prejudice. The event began when vigils were held to mourn the loss of Rita Hester, who was murdered in November 1998 in Boston.

Transgender Day of Remembrance helps to raise awareness of violence committed against transgender and gender non-conforming people and publicly mourns and honors the lives of those who might otherwise be forgotten. It is a day that allows us to stand up collectively in opposition to anti-transgender hatred and prejudice.

Unitarian Universalist congregations honor this day by attending local Transgender Day of Remembrance vigils and bearing witness, offering their sanctuary to transgender community groups who need a space to hold a vigil, honoring Transgender Day of Remembrance during a Sunday service either with a moment of silence or by crafting the entire service around this theme, and more.

Transgender Day of Remembrance Resources

• Resources on hosting a vigil from Standing on the Side of Love
• Transgender Day of Remembrance toolkit and more from Transfaith
• List of Transgender Day of Remembrance events and locations
• Names of victims of anti-transgender violence from Trans Respect Versus Transphobia Worldwide
• Transgender Identity and Welcome resources from the Unitarian Universalist Association
• 10 Things Churches Should Know About Transgender Day of Remembrance, from Believe Out Loud

Unitarian Universalist Grounding

• Confronting Gender Identity Discrimination, a 2007 resolution
• Confronting Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Discrimination, a 2010 business resolution
• Pass the Employment Non-Discrimination Act with Transgender Inclusion and Protection, a 2007 action of immediate witness
• For more on Unitarian Universalist history and grounding in this area, check out our lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer history and facts pages.