The Human Rights Campaign notes that in nearly half of cases, the police or media misgendered the victim. Even though violence against trans people is understood to be vastly underreported, 2021 was reported to be the deadliest year on record for trans and gender non-conforming people, with more than 50 murders. Lawrence’s death comes as transgender communities across the world prepare to honor transgender homicide victims for Transgender Day of Remembrance, an annual vigil on November 20 for. Though trans visibility has increased greatly since Hester’s death, gender non-conforming people are still murdered at a rate far higher than the national average, and the majority of victims are Black trans women. The observance is not official in the United States, but President Joe Biden became the first president to issue a statement on TDoR in 2021. It is now observed each year on November 20, the anniversary of Pickett’s murder. This observance began in 1999 in Massachusetts and has grown internationally as a date of recognition and mourning. For Hester’s loved ones, these added insults to an already horrific loss underscored the need for respectful remembrances of trans people, especially those who had been victims of violence.Ī year after Hester’s death, the first Transgender Day of Remembrance was observed, thanks largely to the efforts of transgender activist Gwendolyn Ann Smith. Submitted by lfeldman on Novem7:18pm Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR) is observed on November 20 and memorializes those whom our communities have lost to anti-trans violence. Mainstream media covering the tragedy misgendered and deadnamed Hester, taking their cue from the police report. As her friends and family grieved, many of them found the media’s coverage of the murder insulting to Hester and the trans community. On November 28, 1998, Hester was stabbed to death in her apartment, apparently by someone whom she had invited in. She and her friends were all too familiar with violence against trans people-just a few months before her death, Hester had responded to a Boston paper’s question about the murder of another Black transgender woman, Chanelle Pickett, saying “I’m afraid of what will happen if gets off lightly.” Hester had been openly trans for nearly her whole life and was well-known in the Boston neighborhood of Allston. Now an annual observance, the first TDoR is a vigil commemorating Rita Hester, a 34-year-old African American trans woman murdered in Boston the previous year. Novemmarks the first Transgender Day of Remembrance, honoring the victims of transphobic violence. Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDoR), also known as the International Transgender Day of Remembrance, has been observed annually (from its inception) on.
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