My name is Gaél Urquia (they/he/elle/él), Project TRANS Case Manager and Peer Support Advocate at The Center. November is Transgender Awareness Month, a time to honor the lives, legacies, and resilience of our transgender and nonbinary community. As part of this month of reflection and celebration, join us for Transgender Day of Remembrance on November 20 from 6-8pm at The Center, where we will honor the memory of transgender and nonbinary people whose lives were taken by anti-trans violence, as well as uplift and celebrate our community.
Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR) is an annual observance for memorializing the lives of transgender and nonbinary community members. It is an opportunity for collective mourning, connection, and healing—a moment to share stories, remember our loved ones, and celebrate our community’s strength. Gwendolyn Ann Smith, along with fellow activists Penni Ashe Matz, Nancy Nageroni, and Jahaira De Alto, helped organize the first Transgender Day of Remembrance. Founded in 1999, TDOR emerged as a grassroots response to the brutal murder of Rita Hester, a Black transgender woman from Boston. The event drew attention to the pervasive violence faced by transgender people and the lack of media coverage surrounding such cases. The vigil held on the one-year anniversary of Rita’s death became the foundation for a powerful global tradition of remembrance and advocacy. Today, TDOR has become an essential day of remembrance for those lost to anti-transgender violence, as well as trans lives cut short due to suicide, neglect, or other consequences of systemic transphobia.
TDOR is also a bold call to action. Our current political climate and the Trump administration have created a dangerous environment for our trans and nonbinary community. Not only are transgender rights being ruthlessly targeted, but the surge of anti-trans sentiments and violence has compounded the marginalization of trans and nonbinary people, exacerbating mental health struggles and deepening feelings of isolation and fear.
Now more than ever, creating spaces of safety and unity is essential to uplift and protect our trans community, empowering every individual to live authentically. TDOR is a vital opportunity to foster that support, honor resilience, and reaffirm our commitment to supporting our trans community
This year’s TDOR event on November 20 will be hosted by Project TRANS at The Center in collaboration with San Diego Pride, Lambda Archives, Transgender Health & Wellness Center, Bears of San Diego, Trans Chorus, and others. It will feature a candlelight vigil, performances by community members, keynote speakers, Trans-owned and LGBTQ+ owned vendors, and community resources, creating a space where all allies, advocates, and community members can come together against violence, affirm the dignity of every trans life, and uplift the local partnerships and organizations that continuously support the transgender and nonbinary community.
In addition to TDOR, The Center will host other events this Transgender Awareness Month, including two upcoming events this week:
- TDOR Sign-Making Workshop: On Wednesday, November 12, from 4-6pm, join us at The Center to create messages of love and solidarity in preparation for TDOR.
Miss Major Celebration of Life and Movie Screening: On Friday, November 14, from 5-7:30pm, Black Services and Project TRANS at The Center, along with Tracie Jada O’Brien (she/her), will host a special Celebration of Life of Miss Major Griffin-Gracy (she/her), a Black trans activist who was a faithful defender of trans liberation and a symbol of hope for our community, followed by a screening of the award-winning documentary MAJOR! about her life.
As we gather for TDOR this Transgender Awareness Month, we not only honor those we’ve lost but also unite in celebration of our community’s power and resilience. I hope you’ll join us in this special opportunity to uplift our trans and nonbinary family with love and pride.
In community,
Gaél Urquia (they/he/elle/él)
Project TRANS Case Manager and Peer Support Advocate