A somber evening to reflect on the bigotry and violence that has targeted the transgender community was also met with calls to be better allies and have difficult conversations to combat transphobia.
San Mateo County leaders, civil rights groups and the San Mateo Public Library held a Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR) Monday evening with the intent of bringing awareness to the violence those identifying as transgender often face and to honor the lives lost.
Last week, the board of supervisors unanimously voted to observe Transgender Day of Remembrance on Nov. 20.
The event included an altar, the calling of names and a call to action.
TDOR is observed annually towards the end of November in recognition of the 1998 murder of Rita Hester, who was active in educating people in her native Boston about transgender issues.
“We observe Transgender Day of Remembrance as a solemn occasion where we honor everyone who has experienced violence or has lost their life due to their gender identity and gender expression,” said Dave Pine, president of the Board of Supervisors.
The transgender flag was also raised at the county center in Redwood City last week.
The event was part of United Against Hate Week 2023, which seeks to combat biases and hate in San Mateo County and foster safety in the community.
“We come together to pray and take action from before, and this moment going forward, to a day when we won’t have to hold the celebration,” said Michael Cronin of the Island United Church in Foster City.
It is important that we understand what inclusivity looks like. It is important that we accept
people as they are.
Dana Johnson, county’s LGBTQ+ ambassador
According to Human Rights Campaign, at least 26 transgender people have been killed in the United States this year.
“It is important that we understand what inclusivity looks like. It is important that we accept people as they are,” said Dana Johnson, the county’s LGBTQ+ ambassador.
Johnson also pointed out that African American transwomen are disproportionately the victims of violence.
“We are here because for some reason folks didn’t feel that they should accept a person as their authentic self,” they added. “We are here because for some reason folks thought it was okay to do a violent act to someone for being authentically themselves.”