Honoring Trans Day of Remembrance (TDOR) at Grounded Wellbeing
Recognized annually on November 20th, Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR) is a day to honor the memory of the transgender people whose lives were lost in acts of anti-transgender violence [1].
Gwendolyn Ann Smith, an advocate for the transgender community who has focused on the trans community on the internet, as well as in honoring those we have lost due to anti-transgender violence, started this day in 1999. The day was originally founded to honor the memory of Rita Hester, a transgender woman who was killed in 1998. Rita was a visible member of the transgender community, where she worked locally on education around transgender issues [1]. The inaugural vigil observed all the transgender people lost to violence since Rita Hester’s death, and started a tradition that has become the annual Transgender Day of Remembrance.
This year, we want to hold space for all of the trans folks who have lost their lives to anti-trans violence and remind you that at Grounded Wellbeing, we are committed to continuing to live out our mission and vision despite the onslaught of anti-trans and anti-LBGTQ rhetoric. We’ll continue to fight and take up our space. During this time, we are intentionally centering our vision and purpose, where we envision a world where all individuals, regardless of their gender identity or expression, can find a safe and affirming space to heal, grow, and thrive.
As a white queer transfeminine professional counselor, I am passionate about radicalizing mental health. I am motivated to serve my community by merging my clinical expertise and lived experience. This looks like a focus on work with trans people, and I believe strongly that trans clients deserve trans clinicians. TDOR is an important day for me to honor the lives lost of my fellow trans siblings and trans ancestors who lost their lives to anti-trans violence. As a transfemme, this is a day filled with grief. I think back on my first TDOR almost a decade ago, and recall how it was my first understanding of how profound it can be to heal within community. This year, I imagine it will be even more important to center healing within community on this day. Our current climate is particularly challenging and uncertain. Together we can honor this important day, and continue to pave the way towards liberation.
Looking for ways you can participate to help raise visibility for transgender people and address issues the community faces? Here are a few events happening virtually, and in Atlanta:
November 20th: The National Center for Civil and Human Rights LGBTQ+ Institute is hosting We Are Here: A Celebration of Trans Resilience. Register here.
November 20th: Scottish Union Learning & Scottish Trade Union Congress (STUC) is hosting a Transgender Day of Remembrance Event online. Register here.
November 20th: Trans Day of Remembrance (TDOR) with Angelica Ross & Friends. Register here.
November 20th: ATL Trans Masc Grief Gathering. More info here.
November 24th: Trans Joy USA TDOR Day of Joy. More info here.
If you need support and want to be connected with someone from the GWB team, reach out to us here!
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