Every year since 1999, the transgender community has observed a day of remembrance on November 20th to honor the transgender people across the world who died as a result of transphobia. This year we mourn the loss of 430 known transgender people world-wide. The following is the list of names of transgender people who died as a result of violence and suicide related to transphobia, and COVID-19 in the United States. It is important to note that the overwhelming majority of these individuals are Black transgender women. Unfortunately, no list will be complete, as the deaths of trans people often go unreported or misrepresented. We also respect and honor those whose names remain unknown.
Aerrion Burnett
Aja Raquell Rhone-Spears
Alex McCray
Alice Carter
Angel Rose Garcia
Angel Haynes
Angel Unique
Angela Martinez Gómez
Ashley Moore
Brayla Stone
Bree Black
Brian Powers
Brooklyn Deshuna
Camila María Concepción
Dior H Ova
Dominique “Rem’mie” Fells
Draya McCarty
Dustin Parker
Elie Che
Felycya Herris
Gia Valentina Romualdo
Helle Jae O’Regan
Henrietta Robinson
Isabella Mia Lofton
Jayne Thompson
Johanna Metzger
John Scott Devore/Scottlyn Kelly Devore
Kee Sam
Layla Pelaez Sánchez
Lexi Sutton
Lorena Borjas
Marilyn Monroe Cazares
Merci Mack
Mia Green
Mia Penny
Michelle Michellyn Ramos Vargas
Monika Diamond
Name Unknown
Nikki Kuhnhausen
Nina Pop
Nuelisa Luciano Ruiz
Penélope Díaz Ramírez
Queasha Hardy
Riah Milton
Sara Blackwood
Selena Reyes-Hernandez
Serena Angelique Velázquez Ramos
Shaki Peters
Shelley Lynn Rose
Summer Taylor
Tatiana Hall
Tony McDade
Yahira Nesby
Yampi Méndez Arocho
If at any point you found yourself simply skimming over the list to get to the bottom, please, consider going back and slowing down. Read each name aloud. Recognize that these were all valuable people whose lives were cut short, often at very young ages (the youngest reported individual was just 17 years old), for no reason other than bigotry. They should all be here today but they are not because of transphobia. Allow yourself to feel the weight of that for a moment.
To learn more about Transgender Day of Remembrance, visit https://www.glaad.org/tdor