20/11/2025
Today is Transgender Day of Remembrance, a day to honour all those in the trans community that we have lost too soon.
Trans Day of Remembrance was founded 25 years ago in 1999, when trans advocate Gwendolyn Ann Smith organised a vigil to honour Rita Hester, a transgender woman who was killed in 1998.
The vigil commemorated the one-year anniversary of Hester’s death, and all the trans people lost to violence that year. Every year since, communities across the world have observed Trans Day of Remembrance by coming together at vigils to share their grief and outrage together.
We know that today will be a difficult day for many of you. Know that you are not alone, and we are thinking of you.
If you want to talk to someone about how you’re feeling, our support line is open 1pm-8:30pm today. You can call 808 8010 400, email info@mermaidsuk.org.uk, or head to our website for webchat support: https://mermaidsuk.org.uk/support-line/
You may find TGEU - Trans Europe and Central Asia 's self-printable journal helpful for processing grief, honouring memories, and taking care of yourself. You can download it here: https://tgeu.org/files/uploads/2024/11/TDOR_GRIEF-ZINE_EN_print.pdf?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR3a0-vsoITRkiHc8NiUMhUW3gabwrT9L5ZuUDX12sKX5BdvpMctWRixc3A_aem_D-1vjSNF6DefWSYgP744LA
Illustration credits: .art on Instagram
