A number of organizations released statements Nov. 20 in honor of the Transgender Day of Remembrance.
Lambda Legal Transgender Rights Project Director M. Dru Levasseur said, "Transgender Day of Remembrance is an annual event to remember and honor the lives of transgender people who committed suicide or have been killed simply for being who they truly are. Its growing observance is bittersweet - every year we raise more awareness of the rampant epidemic of anti-transgender violence, particularly against transgender women of color, but every year we see the statistics remain the same."
"The national crisis of anti-trans violence in this country continues with brutal intensity, and it seems like every day we mourn another tragic loss," said HRC President Chad Griffin. "On this Transgender Day of Remembrance, all Americans should feel responsible to help bring an end to this violence before it claims even one more innocent soul. The progress of equality has to reach everyone, and we are failing as a movement if we leave anyone behind."
Rev. Darlene Nipper, deputy executive director of the National LGBTQ Task Force, said, "Today many fond memories will come to mind for millions in our community and our allies, of that trans friend, or trans family member, or cherished trans colleague who had the courage to bring their entire self to life. Undoubtedly our community and our nation have been enriched by the collective contributions of the folks we remember today.
"We can honor their lives by intensifying the fight for a nation free from hate-motivated violence and the murder of people for simply being themselvesand for a world where everyone can experience true freedom, justice and equality without any unnecessary barriers."