Jayapal, Hirono, Jacobs, Pocan Introduce Resolution Commemorating Transgender Day of Remembrance

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, 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 Pocan (WI-02), Chair of the Congressional Equality Caucus, announced the introduction of a resolution commemorating November 20, 2024, as Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR).

“As anti-transgender rhetoric and legislation has 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. These instances, coupled with countless other acts of discrimination, are terrifying — but we won’t waver. I will never back down from fighting to ensure that all trans individuals can exist freely without fear of hate. 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 horrific violence. Trans lives matter, and our commitment to creating a just and equal society where everyone can thrive will never stop. Any attempts to attack this community are simply a distraction from the real work at hand to lift up and ensure opportunity for all Americans.”

“No one should have to live their lives in fear simply for existing as they are. With anti-transgender hate on the rise across the country, it is more important than ever that we protect and support transgender and gender-nonconforming communities,” said Senator Hirono. “I’m proud to sponsor this resolution to raise awareness of the discrimination and dangers that transgender communities face, and to honor the memories of the transgender and gender-nonconforming people whose lives were lost in violence. Transgender rights are human rights, and I will continue fighting so every person can live their lives freely and authentically.”

“So many people – especially youth – in the trans community are feeling scared and anxious right now, worried about their ability to get the health care they need, the future of their rights, and their safety. Donald Trump’s anti-LGBTQ+ and anti-trans agenda will likely fuel this anxiety and violence against queer communities,” said Congresswoman Jacobs. “That makes this year’s Transgender Day of Remembrance even more important. Our bicameral resolution is a powerful reminder that anti-trans rhetoric can cost lives. No matter what, I will keep pushing back against anti-LGBTQ+ hate so that everyone can live freely and authentically without fear of violence, retaliation, or discrimination.”

“Today, we mark Transgender Day of Remembrance to remember the lives and honor the memories of those taken too soon,” said Congressman Pocan. “Trans people—especially trans people of color—are facing an epidemic of hate and violence, spurred by anti-trans rhetoric. We all have a part to play in combatting this vile rhetoric and working to secure a future where trans people are free, as every American should be, to live openly & authentically without the threat of harassment, discrimination, and violence.”

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 resolution can be found here.

The resolution is cosponsored by Alma S. Adams (NC-12), Gabe Amo (RI-01), Becca Balint (VT-AL), Nanette Barragán (CA-44), Ami Bera (CA-06), Lisa Blunt Rochester (DE-AL), Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), Jamaal Bowman (NY-16), Brendan Boyle (PA-02), Julia Brownley (CA-26), Cori Bush (MO-01), Andre Carson (IN-07), Troy A. Carter (LA-02), Greg Casar (TX-35), Sean Casten (IL-06), Judy Chu (CA -28), Angie Craig (MN-02), Jasmine Crockett (TX-30), Sharice L. Davids (KS-03), Danny K. Davis (IL-07), Madeleine Dean (PA-04), Suzan K. DelBene (WA-01), Chris Deluzio (PA-17), Mark DeSaulnier (CA-10), Debbie Dingell (MI-06), Adriano Espaillat (NY-13), Dwight Evans (PA-03), Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07), Valerie Foushee (NC-04), Maxwell Alejandro Frost (FL-10), Robert Garcia (CA-42), Jesús G. “Chuy” García (IL-04), Sylvia Garcia (TX-29), Dan Goldman (NY-10), Jimmy Gomez (CA-34), Al Green (TX-09), Raúl M. Grijalva (AZ-07), Sara Jacobs (CA-51), Henry C. “Hank” Johnson, Jr. (GA-04), Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37), Tim Kennedy (NY-26), Ro Khanna (CA-17), Daniel T. Kildee (MI-08), Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08), Barbara Lee (CA-12), Summer Lee (PA-12), Teresa Leger Fernandez (NM-03), Ted Lieu (CA-36), Zoe Lofgren (CA-18), Stephen Lynch (MA-08), 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), Kevin Mullin (CA-15), Jerrold Nadler (NY-12), Grace F. Napolitano (CA-31-31), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-AL), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14), Ilhan Omar (MN-05), Jimmy Panetta (CA-19), Chris Pappas (NH-01), Scott Peters (CA-50), Chellie Pingree (ME-01), Mark Pocan (WI-02), Katie Porter (CA-47), Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), Mike Quigley (IL-05), Delia C. Ramirez (IL-03), Raul Ruiz (CA-25), Andrea Salinas (OR-06), Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05), Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), Brad Sherman (CA-32), Adam Smith (WA-09), Eric Sorensen (IL-17), Haley Stevens (MI-11), Eric Swalwell (CA-14), Mark Takano (CA-39), Shri Thanedar (MI-13), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Jill Tokuda (HI-02), Paul D. Tonko (NY-20), Ritchie Torres (NY-15), Juan Vargas (CA-52), Nydia Velázquez (NY-07), Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), Jennifer Wexton (VA-10), Nikema Williams (GA-05), and Frederica S. Wilson (FL-24).

Issues: Civil Rights