In honor of Transgender Day of Remembrance and in memory of those we have lost to violence against the transgender community, Los Angeles LGBT Center CEO Lorri L. Jean issued the following statement:
“Today, as we mourn the lives and say the names of 37 trans and gender-nonconforming people known to have been murdered in the United States this year, the Los Angeles LGBT Center joins transgender and LGBTQ organizations across the country in denouncing the continued, pervasive, and violent attacks against the transgender community, especially against Black and Latina trans women. According to the Los Angeles County Commission on Human Relations’ 2019 Hate Crime Report, reported hate crimes against transgender people skyrocketed by 64 percent from 2018 to 2019.
“The last four years has seen an onslaught of anti-transgender political actions and rhetoric by the Trump Administration. We are heartened that the new Administration has made a commitment to support the transgender community, and we will support—and monitor—these efforts.
“Every day is an opportunity to remember the trans community members whose lives were stolen by violence, as well as to fight alongside trans leaders in the fight for trans equality. We celebrate important strides made by trans leaders to advance the rights and recognition of the trans and gender-nonconforming community, including the historic win by Sarah McBride, the first transgender state senator in history, and at least eight transgender, nonbinary, and gender-nonconforming state electoral victories in the November 2020 election.
“Today, let us recommit ourselves to ending violence against the transgender community and lift up the initiatives and programs that serve trans people. Let us celebrate the diversity and resilience of the transgender community—especially the Black and Latina trans women who fight every day for their dignity and equality. Our mission is to ensure that all LGBT people—especially those most at risk in our trans community—can thrive as healthy, equal, and complete members of society. Until that day is here, our work is far from over.”
On Friday, November 20, at 8 p.m. PT, the Unique Women’s Coalition will stream TDOR: A Celebration of Love, Life and Resilience. The program, which will be hosted online this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, will include the reading of the names and a performance by Preti Educat’d. The event will stream on Facebook Live at facebook.com/TheUWC.