Transgender Day of Remembrance is Tuesday, Nov. 20, with events happening throughout Transgender Awareness Week (Nov. 12–19) throughout New England and across the country.
In 2017, there were 29 transgender people murdered in the United States in hate crimes. 2018 is expected to be the deadliest year for transgender people.
The observance, which started in 1999, honors the memory of lives lost through anti-transgender violence. It began when transgender activist Gwendolyn Ann Smith held a vigil for Rita Hester, a transgender woman killed the year before, according to GLAAD, which also shared the following quote from Smith:
“The Transgender Day of Remembrance seeks to highlight the losses we face due to anti-transgender bigotry and violence. I am no stranger to the need to fight for our rights, and the right to simply exist is first and foremost. With so many seeking to erase transgender people — sometimes in the most brutal ways possible — it is vitally important that those we lose are remembered, and that we continue to fight for justice.”
Visit the Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition website for more information.
Massachusetts-area (plus one in Waterville, Maine) Transgender Day of Remembrance observances include:
Boston—Nov. 18, 4:45 p.m.: March, Memorial Service and Potluck. Gathering at Dewey Square with march step-off at 5 p.m. The march is optional for those who may only want to attend the tradition service and potluck. Performers include Pink Navel, Golden, Semisweet and Anjimile. Click here for the Facebook Event page.
Bunker Hill Community College—Nov. 20, 1 p.m.: Service and Light Refreshments. Auditorium (Room C202).
Cape Cod—Nov. 20, 5:30 p.m.: The Cape’s 4th annual remembrance includes a light meal followed by a program of speakers, culminating in the reading of the names of those to be remembered. Click here for the Facebook event page.
Chelmsford—Nov. 17, 6 p.m.: The 9th annual vigil, includes a gathering, procession and brief ceremony on the Chelmsford Common. The vigil ends with words from Pat Taber, a veteran and long-term activist, and a brief period of fellowship. People are welcome to either or both parts of the vigil. Child care available. Click here for the Facebook event page.
Lexington—Nov. 18, 1–2 p.m.: Lexington Battle Green (or inside First Parish if the weather is bad). Sponsored by LexPride and First Parish in Lexington. Click here for the Facebook event page.
Lowell—Nov. 19, 4 p.m.: Two simultaneous session followed by a vigil, all on the UMass Lowell South Campus. Both sessions run from 4 to 5:30 p.m.: a Trans & Non-Binary Community Space in O’Leary 325; and a Cis-Gender Dialogue Space in O’Leary 329. The vigil begins at the South Campus Quad at 5:45 p.m. To RSVP or ask any questions please email nikki@chhinc.org. Click here for the Facebook event page.
Malden—Nov. 20, 7 p.m.: A service will be held at First Parish Malden Unitarian-Universalist Church, 2 Elm St. Click here for the Facebook event page.
Needham—Nov. 19, 7 p.m.: Needham clergy members and special guest speakers welcome all to Needham’s second Trans Day of Remembrance and Resilience event. Click here for the Facebook event page.
Northampton—Nov. 20, 5:30 p.m.: A program begin at the Unitarian Society of Northampton and Florence, 220 Main St., Northampton, with a candlelit vigil that will process through downtown Northampton, followed by an hour-long indoor program at USNF commencing at 6 p.m. Click here for the Facebook event page.
Pittsfield—Nov. 20, 5:30 p.m.–7:30 p.m.: St. Stephens Church 67 East Street. An event cohosted by Berkshire Pride, Berkshire Stonewall Community Coalition, Berkshire Trans Group, Indivisible Pittsfield Events, Pittsfield Human Rights Commission, Berkshire Rainbow Seniors, and Elizabeth Freeman Center. Click here for the Facebook event page.
Somerville, Nov. 20, 2:45–3:15 p.m.: Somerville City Hall, 93 Highland Ave. A ceremony with speakers Mayor Curtatone, Somerville LGBTQ Liaison Jess Alter, Somerville High School GSAA Advisor Sarah Eustis, and student representatives from GSAA, followed by a raising of the Transgender Flag. The event is open to the public, and all community members are welcome. Click here for the Facebook event page.
Stow, Massachusetts—Nov. 20, 7–8 p.m.: First Parish Church of Stow and Acton, Unitarian Universalist, 353 Great Road, Stow. Vespers includes a tolling of the bell and reading of names of transgender people who lost their lives in acts of violence over the past year. Click here for the Facebook event page.
Waterville, Maine—Nov. 20, 6 p.m.: Cosponsored by PFLAG Waterville, PSUMC Reconciling Ministries Team, and Out & Allied Youth Theatre, the event will be held at REM (Revitalizing the Energy), 31 Temple St. All are welcome!
Worcester/Clark University—Nov. 15, 6 p.m.: An honoring those who have lost their lives due to anti-trans violence, as well as suicide. Includes a reading of the names and an opportunity to speak words of respect and remembrance. A debrief session in JC001 follows the Vigil. Click here for the Facebook event page.
