Today Is The International Transgender Day of Remembrance

From the International Transgender Day of Remembrance website:
“THE TRANSGENDER DAY OF REMEMBRANCE was set aside to memorialize those who were killed due to anti-transgender hatred or prejudice. The event is held in November to honor Rita Hester, whose murder on November 28th, 1998 kicked off the “Remembering Our Dead” web project and a San Francisco candlelight vigil in 1999. Rita Hester’s murder—like most anti-transgender murder cases—has yet to be solved.
The Transgender Day of Remembrance serves several purposes: It raises public awareness of hate crimes against transgender people, an action that current media doesn’t perform. It publicly mourns and honors the lives of our brothers and sisters who might otherwise be forgotten. Through the vigil, we express love and respect for our people in the face of national indifference and hatred. It reminds non-transgender people that we are their sons, daughters, parents, friends and lovers. It gives our allies a chance to step forward with us and stand in vigil, memorializing those of us who’ve died by anti-transgender violence.”
You can look up your local candlelight vigils happening worldwide and educate yourself on transgender identity here. Below are a grouping of international transgender news items reminding us of the issues and prejudices still facing our trans brother, sisters, and greater community:
Bangalore, India – Indian police accused of “social cleansing” after another attack on trans community.
Fort Lauderdale, Florida – Mother becomes LGBT activist in wake of 17 year-old child’s murder.
Memphis, Tennessee – Murder of trans victim of police draws scrutiny.
Memphis, Tennessee – Former Memphis officer pleads not guilty in transgender beating.
New York City – Lambda Legal renews vision of justice on Transgender Remembrance Day.
Salt Lake City, Utah – First of six gay bills protects transgenders from being fired for gender identity.
Silverton, Oregon – Westboro Baptist Church targets Rasmussen, the first openly transgender mayor on Nov. 4th.
Syracuse, New York – Trans woman, Lateisha Green, shot and killed.
Sweden – Crossdressing no longer considered “a disease.”
United Kingdom – Trades Union Congress with a call on employers to stop discriminating against people on the grounds of gender identity.
Worldwide – Transgender murder and suicide rarely treated with respect.
Video – GLAAD, HRC, and Fight Out Loud videos for International Transgender Day of Remembrance.