Transgender Day of Remembrance 2021

Today is Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDoR). On November 20th each year, we recognize, honour and remember the lives, experiences and contributions of the transgender folks who have lost their lives to transphobic violence. We also recognize, honour and remember the trans lives lost to suicide, mental health crises, addiction and other deaths of despair. Tragically, rates of addiction and mental health are often much higher for trans folks as are rates of suicidal ideation and suicide attempts, particularly amongst trans youth.

TDoR began in 1999 by transgender advocate Gwendolyn Ann Smith in response to the murder of Rita Hester in 1998. The first TDoR was a vigil to honour Rita’s life and all the other lives of the trans community whose lives had ended as a result of transphobic violence. This vigil was the foundation for the vital tradition we now know as Transgender Day of Remembrance.

According to the Human Rights Campaign who tracks anti-trans violence, at the time of this writing, at least 45 transgender or gender non-conforming (GNC) folks have been killed. With the understanding that under- and misreporting is common, it is likely that this number is even higher, making 2021 the deadliest year for transgender and GNC folks. Unsurprisingly, the majority of those who were killed are Black and Latinx and not one person on this list reached 50 years old.

Today, we quietly reflect and publicly mourn the loss of these beautiful souls whose lives were cut short due to anti-trans violence. We also remember those who have died in previous years and those who did not make this list yet are still not with us.

As you read these names, we invite you to reflect on what this day means to gender diverse communities everywhere. We also hope this post serves as a reminder that each and every one of us plays a role in protecting trans folks and doing our part to keep them safe.

• Tyianna Alexander (28)
• Samuel Edmund Damián ValentinBianca “Muffin” Bankz (30)
• Dominique JacksonFifty Bandz (21)
• Alexus “Kimmy Icon” Braxton (45)
• Chyna Carrillo (24) 
• Jeffrey “JJ” Bright (16)
• Jasmine Cannady (22)
• Jenna Franks (34)
• Diamond Kyree Sanders (23)
• Rayanna Pardo (26)
• Jaida Peterson (29)
• Dominique Lucious (26)
• Remy Fennell (20s)
• Tiara Banks (24)
• Natalia Smut (24)
• Iris Santos (22)
• Tiffany Thomas (38)
• Keri Washington (49)
• Jahaira DeAlto (42) 
• Whispering Wind Bear Spirit (41)
• Sophie Vásquez (36) 
• Danika “Danny” Henson (31)
• Serenity Hollis (24)
• Oliver “Ollie” Taylor (17)
• Thomas Hardin (35)
• Poe Black (21)
• EJ Boykin (23) 
• Aidelen Evans (24)
• Taya Ashton (20)
• Shai Vanderpump (23) 
• Tierramarie Lewis (36) 
• Miss CoCo (44)
• Pooh Johnson (25)
• Disaya Monaee (32)
• Briana Hamilton (25)
• Kiér Laprí Kartier (21)
• Mel Groves (25)
• Royal Poetical Starz (26)
• Zoella “Zoey” Rose Martinez (20)
• Jo Acker (26)
• Jessi Hart (42)
• Rikkey Outumuro (39)
• Marquiisha Lawrence (28)
• Jenny De Leon (25)

We honour you. We remember you. We love you. 

Names and ages provided by Human Rights Campaign