November 20th marked the Transgender Remembrance Day, an annual day to commemorate and remember those who have been affected by or lost their lives as a result of anti-transgender violence.

For many, November 20th is a day filled with emotions: anger, sadness, and even hopefulness. It is a day that carries stories that hit close to home for the transgender community and for those who have lost their children, parents, and siblings to hate crimes.

A day later, on November 21, MCLA’s Gender and Sexuality Center and Queer Student Union collaborated and worked together to hold an event to recognize the lives lost. This event was held all day from 10:00 am to 8:30 pm, a Self-Paced Open Vigil where students could stop by and pay their respects to those who passed. At 7:30 pm there was a toast to honor the resilience of the transgender community. People were able to write small notes with words of recognition and hope for the community, and small switch-on candles were offered for people to turn on as a way to demonstrate their condolences. 

At 7:30 pm, around 14 people gathered in a circle, and the toast began lightheartedly. A few introductions were exchanged before a conversation, hosted by Ara Phoenix (MCLA’s coordinator for the Gender and Sexuality Center), took place. 

First, grief was discussed. Students talked about how it is processed in different ways by different people, and that there would be no room for judgment during the toast. A few people shared how they were feeling scared and upset, and some were unable to find words for their feelings. Others were able to find joy in the open community they found here at MCLA.

Hannah Santos 25’, President of Queer Student Union, said: “I feel hopeful and mostly sappy. It’s a reminder to love your community. I’m really glad to meet so many amazing people and have so many amazing allies around.”

Shortly after, each person was given three slips of paper. Each paper had the name of one of the 36 reported Transgender people in the United States whose life was taken from them, their age, and where they were from. Each student read the three names they were given and then prepared a toast. Everyone was given a choice between different flavors of sparkling soda, toasting together as Phoenix said a few words to honor the lives lost. 

Students were given a handout that would be used in a discussion where they would share their reason for living and a few words they had for the Transgender community during moments of remembrance. Some said they lived for their families, some for their friends, and some for their passions. 

As a way to end the night, one student read a poem called “How to Make Love to a Trans Person” which left the room silent as they took in the words which were read to them. Supportive exchanges were given while people headed back home. 

While there have been 36 reported deaths as a result of anti-transgender violence between 2023 and 2024, there have been 244 deaths worldwide just within this year. There is no current law explicitly protecting transgender people in all areas of public life other than Title 9, which considers gender identity-based discrimination in education and employment. 

Santos shared her feelings regarding the lack of protection for the Transgender community, stating, “It makes me fucking angry. Trans people deserve to be safe, they deserve equal opportunity, they deserve to have their voices out there, and the community deserves to be protected.” 

Below lists those of the Transgender community who have been taken by acts of violence between the years 2023 and 2024 and their ages, some being as young as the average college student: 

Amri Reid, 21, Kejuan Richardson, 21, Jean Butchart, 26, Savannah Ryan Williams, 38, Meghan Riley Lewis, age unknown, Amber Minor, 40, Kitty Monroe, 43, Righteous TK “Chevy” Hill, 35, Diamond Brigman, 26, Alex Taylor Franco, 21, Meraxes Medina, 24, Africa (Emma) Parilla Garcia, 25, Tee “Legend Billions” Arnold, 36, River Nevaeh Goddard, age unknown, Andrea Doria Dos Passos, age unknown, Sasha Williams, 36, Starr Brown, age unknown, Kita Bee, 46, Reyna Hernadez, 54, Brandon “Tayy Dior” Thomas, 17, Michelle Henry, 25, Yella (Robert) Clark Jr., 45, Jazlynn Johnson, 18, LiaraTsai, 35, Pauly Likens, 14, Shannon Boswell, 30, Kenji Spurgeon, 23, Monique Brooks, 49, Dylan Gurley, 20, Tai’Vion Lathan, 24, Vanity Williams, 34, Redd, also known as Barbie, 25, Kassim Omar, 29, Honee Daniels, 37, Santonio “San” Coleman, 48, Quanesha Shantel (“Cocoa”), 26. 

Santos wished to leave readers with one final message: “To the people who have carried out these acts of violence, it doesn’t make you better and it hasn’t fixed any part of “the problem” that you think exists. And for the families grieving, you should grieve as long and as hard as you need. To the victims, it doesn’t change your worth.”