Every year on Nov. 20, Transgender Day of Remembrance honors those who have died as a result of anti-trans violence. The annual observance started in 1999, when trans advocate Gwendolyn Ann Smith held a vigil to mourn the loss of Rita Hester, who was murdered a year earlier, and Chanelle Pickett, killed in 1995. Both were targeted because of their trans identity. 2015 has been a particularly deadly year for gender non-conforming people, with at least 21 deaths, more than any other year on record according to the Human Rights Campaign (HRC). Of the 21, 19 were people of color.
Trans awareness week precedes Trans Day of Remembrance, and the U.S. came a long way this year, with many transgender icons taking the spotlight and the Pentagon ending its ban on trans service members. In honor of the day, check out this quiz about the trans community and how far we still have to go.
Over 17 million people tuned in to her interview with Diane Sawyer, offering many teachable moments of what it’s like to be trans.
One of the files she leaked included the “collateral murder” video that made headlines worldwide. The video shows the killing of two Reuters journalists and triggered tense debate over government surveillance.
Her challenger in the race for Maryland’s 5th congressional district is the House’s second most powerful Democrat, Minority Whip Steny Hoyer.
Erica K. Landau