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Advocates Hold Online Vigil for Trans Day of Remembrance
GLAAD, alongside Advocates for Trans Equality, the Transgender Law Center, Equality Federation, the Human Rights Campaign, and Keshet, hosted a national virtual vigil titled “Give Them Their Flowers” for the annual Transgender Day of Remembrance. This event commemorates those lost to anti-transgender violence.
Advocates Hold Online Vigil for Trans Day of Remembrance: Event Details
The Transgender Day of Remembrance, initiated in 1999 by advocate Gwendolyn Ann Smith, honors the memory of Rita Hester, a transgender woman killed in 1998. The vigil has become an annual tradition to remember transgender individuals lost to violence.
The 45-minute program featured remarks from youth, parents, activists, and artists, attended by hundreds in real-time. Poet and activist Ebo Parton opened the event with original poems addressing the challenges faced by the transgender community under current federal policies.
Tekla Taylor, Public Education Specialist at Advocates for Trans Equality, highlighted findings from the organization’s Trans Remembrance Report for 2025. The report details violence against the transgender community, noting that most trans women of color lost this year were victims of gun violence, with 30% related to intimate partner violence. Taylor emphasized the role of misinformation from influential platforms and leaders in fueling such violence.
Janetta Johnson, CEO of the Miss Major Alexander L. Lee TGIJP Black Trans Cultural Center, spoke about the importance of honoring trans elders and ensuring their needs are met. She shared memories of activists like Miss Major and Monica Roberts, urging community support for older trans individuals.
Sivan Kotler-Berkowitz, a college student, shared his personal journey as a transgender youth, emphasizing the importance of community and support. Lizette Trujillo, a Chicanx activist and mother of a trans son, discussed the significance of solidarity and community for transgender youth.
Nyla Foster, Executive Director of the Trans Women of Color Collective, concluded the event by urging attendees to support living community members and advocate for a world where transgender individuals can live full lives.
Accountability and Ethical Concerns
During the vigil, speakers highlighted the impact of misinformation and disinformation on the transgender community. The Trump administration faced criticism for policies perceived as harmful to transgender rights. For example, the administration’s attempts to define gender based on biological sex at birth raised concerns about erasing transgender identities and limiting their rights. These actions have been reported by various news outlets, including NBC News.
Such policies have sparked debates about the ethical responsibilities of government officials in protecting marginalized communities. The administration’s stance on transgender issues has been a point of contention, with advocates calling for accountability and policy changes to ensure the safety and rights of transgender individuals.
For further insights into independent journalism and political commentary on these issues, visit Brandon Bent’s website.
The vigil concluded with messages of hope and resilience, emphasizing the importance of standing up for transgender rights as part of a broader fight for freedom and equality for all individuals.
For more information on Transgender Awareness Week and the Transgender Day of Remembrance, visit GLAAD’s resource pages.
