Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDoR), also known as the International Transgender Day of Remembrance, has been observed annually (from its inception) on November 20 as a day to memoralize those who have been murdered as a result of transphobia. It is a day to draw attention to the continued violence endured by transgender people.
Transgender Day of Remembrance was founded in 1999 by Gwendolyn Ann Smith, a transgender woman, to memorialize the murder of transgender woman Rita Hester and it has slowly evolved from the web-based project started by Smith into an international day of action. In 2010, TDoR was observed in over 185 cities throughout more than 20 countries.
The County of San Mateo has observed Transgender Day of Remembrance since 2015. By providing these annual days of action, we hope to create more awareness, education, and visibility to stop this violence enacted toward transgender individuals.
In 2024, an altar for Transgender Day of Remembrance will be available for viewing at the Redwood City Library from November 18-24. An audio Reading of the Names will also be available at the altar.
San Mateo County is hosting a Transgender Day of Remembrance Flag-raising event on Wednesday, November 13 from 9:00-9:30am at the County Center Courtyard in Redwood City. Speakers include Supervisor Pine and Venus Itzuri Perez-Hernandez of Mariposa Outreach.
Resources and Tools
Part of building equity and inclusion is taking the responsibility to learn on your own about implicit bias, privilege, and practical ways to move from being an "ally" to "advocate."
Transgender Day of Remembrance Presentations
Please download this presentation to share with your workplace, school, and community.
2024 Transgender Day of Remembrance PowerPoint Presentation (coming soon)
2023 Transgender Day of Remembrance PowerPoint Presentation
2022 Transgender Day of Remembrance PowerPoint Presentation
Resources
Building Blocks for Breaking the Binary
San Mateo County Resource List
Santa Clara County Resource List
How to Be an Ally
Cisgender Privileges Checklist
Guide to Being an Ally to Transgender and Nonbinary Youth
SMC Pride Center Bathroom Awareness Exercise
Words that are Transphobic and Why
More information about last year's 2022 TransACTION Day of Change event.