Jayapal, Hirono, Jacobs, Takano Commemorate Transgender Day of Remembrance

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S Representatives Pramila Jayapal (WA-07) and Sara Jacobs (CA-51), the Co-Chairs of the Congressional Equality Caucus’ Transgender Equality Task Force, Senator Mazie Hirono (D-HI), and Representative Mark Takano (CA-39), Chair of the Congressional Equality Caucus, announced the introduction of a resolution commemorating November 20, 2025, as Transgender Day of Remembrance.

“As anti-transgender rhetoric and legislation have increased in the United States over recent years, unfortunately so has anti-transgender violence,” said Congresswoman Jayapal. “Too many transgender people have been killed just for living as their true, authentic selves. On Transgender Day of Remembrance, this resolution stands as a symbol of the strength and resilience of the trans community and honors the lives of the trans people we have lost to violence. Trans lives matter, and our commitment to creating a just and equal society where everyone can thrive will never waver.”

“As anti-transgender hate continues to rise across the country, it is crucial that we do everything in our power to protect and support transgender and gender-nonconforming communities,” said Senator Hirono. “I’m proud to join my colleagues in introducing this resolution to educate people about the discrimination and dangers that transgender communities face, as well as to honor the lives of transgender and gender-nonconforming people who were lost to violence. Transgender rights are human rights, and I’ll continue fighting so no one has to live in fear for simply existing as who they are.”

“Today we remember and honor the transgender lives stolen because of hate and neglect – but remembrance is not enough,” said Rep. Jacobs. “Transgender and gender non-conforming people – like everyone else – deserve to live free from violence, discrimination, and stigma. No one should lose their life for being who they are. President Trump has made targeting LGBTQ+ people, especially those in the transgender community, a centerpiece of his agenda, fueling discrimination that puts their lives at risk. This resolution serves as our commitment to ending this hateful agenda and protecting the trans community. Congress must ensure all transgender and gender non-conforming people are treated with dignity and respect here at home and around the world.” 

“No one should ever live in fear because of who they are, yet far too many of our transgender siblings have been taken from us by acts of hate and violence,” said Rep. Mark Takano, Chair of the Congressional Equality Caucus. “I’m proud to lead this resolution recognizing Transgender Day of Remembrance alongside Congresswomen Pramila Jayapal and Sara Jacobs, leaders of our Transgender Equality Task Force, and our ally from Hawaii, Senator Mazie Hirono. This is more than just a resolution. It is a commitment to our transgender siblings lost to violence that we will never forget them nor waver in our fight to build a safer, better, and more loving world for the transgender community.”

Following the still-unsolved murder of Rita Hester, a transgender woman of color, Gwendolyn Ann Smith founded TDOR to honor Hester and other transgender people whose lives were lost to violence.

The TDOR resolution memorializes the lives of transgender people lost due to violence in the United States and around the world. Text of the full resolution can be found here.

The resolution is also sponsored by Gabe Amo (RI-01), Yassamin Ansari (AZ-03), Becca Balint (VT-AL), Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), Julia Brownley (CA-26), Salud Carbajal (CA-24), Andre Carson (IN-07), Troy A Carter Sr. (LA-02), Greg Casar (TX-35), Judy Chu (CA-28), Angie Craig (MN-02), Danny K. Davis (IL-07), Madeleine Dean (PA-04), Diana DeGette (CO-01), Suzan DelBene (WA-01), Chris Deluzio (PA-17), Maxine Dexter (OR-03), Dwight Evans (PA-03), Valerie P. Foushee (NC-04), Maxwell Alejandro Frost (FL-10), Jesús G. “Chuy” García (IL-04), Robert Garcia (CA-42), Sylvia Garcia (TX-29), Dan Goldman (NY -10), Jared Huffman (CA-02), Henry C. (“Hank”) Johnson, Jr. (GA-04), Robin L. Kelly (IL-02), Timothy M. Kennedy (NY-26), Ro Khanna (CA-17), Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08), Teresa Leger Fernandez (NM-03), Ted W. Lieu (CA-36), Zoe Lofgren (CA-18), Stephen Lynch (MA-08), Sarah McBride (DE-AL), April McClain Delaney (MD-06), Jennifer McClellan (VA-04), Betty McCollum (MN-04), James P. McGovern (MA-02), LaMonica McIver (NJ-10), Grace Meng (NY-06), Gwen Moore (WI-04), Kelly Morrison (MN-03), Kevin Mullin (CA-15), Jerrold Nadler (NY-12), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-00), Ilhan Omar (MN-05), Jimmy Panetta (CA-19), Chris Pappas (NH-01), Scott Peters (CA-50), Chellie Pingree (ME-01), Mark Pocan (WI-02), Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), Mike Quigley (IL-05), Delia Ramirez (IL-03), Luz Rivas (CA-29), Raul Ruiz (CA-25), Andrea Salinas (OR-06), Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), Terri Sewell (AL-07), Brad Sherman (CA-32), Lateefah Simon (CA-12), Adam Smith (WA-09), Eric Sorensen (IL-17), Eric Swalwell (CA-14), Shri Thanedar (MI-13), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Jill Tokuda (HI-02), Paul D. Tonko (NY-20), Ritchie Torres (NY-15), Lauren Underwood (IL-14), Juan Vargas (CA-52), Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), Nikema Williams (GA-05), and Frederica S. Wilson (FL-24).

It is also endorsed by the Human Rights Campaign and Advocates for Trans Equality.

Issues: LGBTQIA+ Rights