Transgender Day of Remembrance

A series of lit candles, in black and white, are imposed upon the transgender flag (striped: blue, pink, white, pink, blue).

Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDoR) takes place on Nov. 20 and honors those whose lives were lost in the previous year to anti-transgender violence.

The event was founded in 1999 by Gwendolyn Ann Smith to memorialize the murder of transgender woman Rita Hester in Allston, Massachusetts. It has since grown into an international event. Vigils are often hosted by local transgender or LGBTQ advocacy groups and usually involve reading a list of the names of those lost that year.

During the reporting period for TDoR 2023, there were 393 deaths. You can view the international list online. The Trans Lives Matter website maintained a list of 62 lives lost in the United States and detailed information on each person. This information can be difficult to read, please practice self-care.

While TDoR largely focuses on those who were murdered, it is also important to recognize transgender and gender-diverse people who have died because of medical neglect, lack of access to shelter, suicide, and other preventable causes. This alarming rate of death continues to impact transgender and gender-diverse communities, especially Black transgender and gender-diverse communities, throughout the United States.

Below are some resources for transgender people, their loved ones and allies, and people who might not be sure what their gender identity is yet to celebrate, support, and care for transgender and gender-diverse people.

LOCAL RESOURCES

TranQuility

TranQuility is a community group of transgender people and allies who aim to improve the lives of transgender and gender-diverse people. They are based in Gainesville and serve the greater Alachua County and North Central Florida area.

You can visit their website or find them on Facebook and Twitter.

Unspoken Treasure Society

The Unspoken Treasure Society is an organization in Gainesville dedicated to meeting the needs of the transgender community, particularly people of color. They provide peer support, community outreach, educational literature, HIV testing and counseling, and connections to various needs-based resources.

You can also find them on Facebook.

TransAction Florida

TransAction Florida (part of the Equality Florida advocacy group) provides workshops for major Florida employers such as media outlets, law enforcement, health care, and the faith community. It also engages with public policy issues to advocate for fully-inclusive statewide human rights.

NATIONAL RESOURCES

The Human Rights Campaign

The Human Rights Campaign is a national organization that works to educate the public about the transgender community. They offer a range of resources for supporting transgender and gender-diverse people.

You can view their transgender resource page, and their 2021 report on anti-transgender violence.

National Center for Transgender Equality

The National Center for Transgender Equality advocates to change policies and society to increase understanding and acceptance of transgender people. In the nation’s capital and throughout the country, NCTE works to replace disrespect, discrimination, and violence with empathy, opportunity, and justice.

You can view their 2015 U.S. Trans Survey, which highlights many of the barriers transgender and gender-diverse people face. There's also a specific report for Florida.

Trans Lifeline

Trans Lifeline is a transgender-led organization that connects transgender people to the community, support, and resources they need to survive and thrive. Call them in crisis, or if you need someone transgender to talk to (even if you’re not sure you’re transgender).

Pencil drawing of a "Hello My Name Is" sticker, with transgender flag colors behind it.

If you'd like to use a name other than your legal name on your library account, visit your local branch to speak with a staff member. Your name will appear on your library account, holds slips, and email communications. Documentation is not required to change the name on your account.

Our collection of transgender and gender-diverse books and media continues to grow. Check out some of our favorite titles below.

Please note that under Florida Statute 257.261, all Library District patron records are completely confidential. We will not give out your information or checkout history to anyone. If you are concerned about being outed by checking out any of these books, make sure you have all copies of your library card in your possession, your own email is on your patron account, and that you have changed your patron login information to something unique and secure.