Artigenda
Transgender Day of Remembrance
When: anually, November 20.
A day like the International Transgender Day of Remembrance should not exist. The reason the day exists explains why the day should not be there. Or maybe it should?
Origin of the day
Gwendolyn Ann Smith, Nancy Nagerony and Jahaira DeAlto came up with the idea for this day in 1999. In this way, they wanted to reflect on the murder of Rita Hester and Chanelle Picket. Although Hester’s death is often seen as the main cause, Picket’s death should not be underestimated either.
Who were Rita Hester and Chanelle Picket? They were 35 and 23 years old and died three years apart. In both cases, they were killed by violence. Eventually, Picket’s death date (20 November) would be chosen as a day to remember all the victims.
Both Hester (born 30 November 1963 and died 28 November 1998) and Picket (born 1972 and died 20 November 1995) were victims of violence and this is not unique. Nor is it limited to just the United States. Hence, the Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDoR) would grow into an international day of remembrance. More than 20 countries commemorate victims who lost their lives due to transphobia.
Who else was remembered was Monique Thomas. Only she was not killed in the month of November. However, her death in September 1998 was also a reason to start thinking about a moment to remember all victims of transphobia. Like Hester, Thomas also lived to be only 35 years old.
A list of people killed for who they were can be found on this location. It is a far from complete list.
