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Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDoR) 2025
Today, we are recognizing and remembering our lost non-binary, trans, and gender-expansive siblings on Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDoR). Twenty-six years ago, transgender activists organized the first TDoR in Boston (Trans Remembrance Project). Co-founded in 1999 by Gwendolyn Ann Smith as a vigil to honor the memory of Rita Hester and Chanelle Pickett, two transwomen of color who were murdered in Greater Boston. Despite its origins in Mass, TDoR has become an international movement. It falls on November 20th every year and seeks to raise awareness about transphobia, queerphobia, and anti-trans violence.Many acts of anti-trans violence and murders go unreported. Folks at the intersection of BIPOC, young adult, and transfemme identities are 7x more likely to be murdered compared to the general US population (Mic 2016).
The Trans Remembrance Project reports at fifty-eight total deaths in the United States related to trans-identity between 11/1/24 and 10/31/25. The leading causes of these deaths are violence (particularly gun violence) and suicide. Statistically, the most vulnerable identities are Black, transfemme, and young (ages 15-24) non-binary, gender-nonconforming, and gender-expansive individuals.
“Rise up, O Lord; O God, lift up your hand. Do not forget the oppressed” (Ps. 10). God does not forget the oppressed and marginalized.
As Christians, we are called to love our trans and non-binary siblings, recognizing the inherent divinity and dignity in each human being.
In this coming holiday season, avoid shopping at stores that aren’t supportive of LGBTQIA+ rights. Reach out to a transgender or non-binary friend of family member to express your love and support. Write to your representatives about ever-increasing anti-trans legislation in the US. Remember our siblings taken from us this year. Lastly, to read poems, prayers, and liturgy by queer and trans people of faith, check out Enfleshed.
I invite you to read more about what the UCC is doing about trans rights in the church at ucc.org/trans. May God empower us to reject a culture of hate and instead embrace Christ’s call to peace and justice.
