Transgender Day of Remembrance is observed annually on November 20 to honor the memory of transgender individuals who have lost their lives due to anti-transgender violence. Established in 1999 by advocate Gwendolyn Ann Smith, Transgender Day of Remembrance began as a vigil for Rita Hester, a transgender woman murdered in 1998. This day serves to raise public awareness about the ongoing violence faced by the transgender community and to commemorate those who have tragically died as a result of such prejudice. Transgender Day of Remembrance also marks the conclusion of Transgender Awareness Week, which runs from November 13 to 19, aiming to increase visibility and understanding of transgender and gender non-conforming individuals.
