11/20/2025
Today, we honor and remember the lives lost to anti-transgender violence. We recognize their stories, their courage, and the profound impact their loss has on families and communities.
Some of the individuals we remember include:
β’ Chanelle Pickett (1972β1995): whose death helped inspire this observance.
β’ Angie Zapata (1989β2008): one of the first U.S. trans hate-crime cases.
β’ Karla Valentina Camarena del Castillo (d. 2020): a transgender rights activist in Mexico.
β’ Sonia Rescalvo Zafra (1946β1991): murdered in Spain.
β’ Monique Brooks (2024): a 49-year-old Black transgender woman killed in Orlando, Florida.
β’ Quanesha βCocoaβ Shantel (2024): a 26-year-old Black trans woman shot in Greensboro, North Carolina.
β’ Sam Nordquist (2025): a 24-year-old transgender man tortured and murdered in New York.
β’ Linda Becerra (2025): a trans woman killed by LAPD officers after calling 911 to report being kidnapped.
We say their names!!! and honor all whose lives were taken too soon.
This day also reminds us of the ongoing challenges faced by transgender individuals, including trauma, isolation, and mental health struggles.
As a community, we commit to:
β’ Providing safe, affirming mental health support.
β’ Advocating for justice, inclusion, and safety.
β’ Listening, learning, and acting as allies.
You are not alone!! Your life matters!!