Transgender Awareness Week and Transgender Day of Remembrance 2020
Every year on November 20, communities around the country gather to remember the lives of transgender, gender-variant, and those perceived to be transgender whose lives were lost due to violence. In 1999, Gwendolyn Ann Smith founded Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR) as a vigil to honor Rita Hester, who was murdered on November 28, 1998. TDOR educates about the violence and prejudice the transgender community faces.
During the 2020 session of the Virginia General Assembly, both the House of Delegates and the Senate passed resolution number eighty-five designating November 20 as Transgender Day of Remembrance in Virginia. Read the full text of the resolution.
The week preceding TDOR is Transgender Awareness Week, a time for education and advocacy.
“Transgender Awareness Week is a vital opportunity to advocate for the visibility, protection, dignity and rights of trans, non-binary and gender-expansive people around the world.”
— Helen Parhall, Human Rights Campaign
Learn more about Transgender Awareness Week and Transgender Day of Remembrance
“Four Reminders This Transgender Awareness Week” from the The Human Rights Campaign
“TransAwareness Week” from GLAAD
“Transgender Day of Remembrance” from The Human Rights Campaign
Events in Richmond, Virginia
Nationz Foundation hosts Trans Day of Remembrance and Resilience Panel and Dedication
November 20, 2020
4:00 - 5:00 PM
Nationz Foundation will host a virtual discussion on Trans issues and resilience. Join at https://www.facebook.com/events/838810516931362.
Nationz Foundation provides “education and information related to HIV prevention and overall health and wellness, while inspiring the community to take responsibility for their health while working towards a more inclusive Central Virginia for LGBTQIA+ identified individuals.” It conducts club and street outreach to disseminate information to the community related to HIV, STIs, and Cancer. They raise awareness of HIV/ STI's and social determinants affecting our city. “Through careful planning and relationship building with other organizations in the area we hope to inspire healthier lifestyle choices and equip the community with the necessary tools to assist in decisions that increase wellness.” Their programs include testing services, a food pantry, a Monday night fellowship, a support group for women of transgender experience, a support group for trans men, emergency housing assistance to the LGBTQ community and transportation for medical appointments, a support group for those with an HIV diagnosis, and a support group for non-binary, gender non conforming, and questioning trans folx.
Equality Virginia has compiled a list of events in Richmond, Roanoke, Fredericksburg, and Hampton Roads. Learn more or submit a local event at www.equalityvirginia.org/tdor.
Watch at home
This year, GLAAD is encouraging people to watch Disclosure, a documentary exploring the history of trans representation in TV and film in unprecedented form, revealing how Hollywood simultaneously reflects and manufactures people's deepest anxieties about gender. It’s currently available on Netflix.
Faith observances
Transmission Ministry Collective
Community Prayer for Transgender Day of Remembrance
November 20, 2020
6:00 - 6:30 PM
Transmission Ministry Collective offers a prayer service remembering all the transgender and gender-expansive people we’ve lost to violence this year. Watch live at the TMC YouTube channel.
In early 2020, Austen Hartke, a transgender person of faith who’s committed to helping other trans and gender-expansive people see themselves in scripture, founded Transmission Ministry Collective, an online community dedicated to the spiritual care, faith formation, and leadership potential of transgender, nonbinary, genderqueer, and gender-expansive Christians.
Celebrating Transgender Jews - New York Public Library
The New York Public Library has provided a reading list celebrating transgender Jews that includes life stories by transgender people of faith, gender identity in Judaism, articles and talks, resources, and organizations.
Observing Transgender Day of Remembrance in the Jewish Community
ReformJudiasm.org provides resources for the Jewish community to observe Transgender Day of Remembrance.
More resources
I’ve compiled a list of organizations that serve transgender people, their families and loved ones, and faith communities.
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