Recognizing November 17-23, 2013 as Transgender Awareness Week.

WHEREAS, The Williams Institute at UCLA, estimates approximately 0.3% of the U.S. population is transgender and experiences some degree of gender non-conformity. This is equivalent to nearly 950,000 people or the total population of Washington, D.C. and Pittsburgh, PA combined; and

WHEREAS, Despite rapid progress made in some areas of LGBTQ rights, members of the transgender community still face constant struggles due to a lack of awareness, deep-rooted societal prejudice, and institutional boundaries such as legal workplace discrimination in 33 states, limited access to medically necessary health care, gender segregated facilities nearly everywhere you turn; and

WHEREAS, Since 1998, Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDoR), has occurred annually on November 20 to memorialize those who have been killed as a result of anti-transgender violence, and acts to bring attention to the continued violence endured by the transgender community; and

WHEREAS, Victims of anti-transgender violence are disproportionately women of color; and

WHEREAS, Philadelphia has recently experienced several anti-transgender murders, many of which remain unsolved. Diamond Williams, a transgender Philadelphian, was brutally murdered here earlier this year. The murders of transgender Philadelphians Kyra Kruz, Stacey Blahnik, and Nizah Morris all still remain unsolved; and

WHEREAS, In an effort to expand awareness of the Transgender Community beyond tragic headlines, Transgender Awareness Week was established to highlight the countless and invaluable contributions to society made by transgender people without distracting from the staggering levels of discrimination and violence most face on a daily basis; and

WHEREAS, According to a survey administered by the National Center for Transgender Rights and National Gay and Lesbian task force, 97% of transgender people reported being harassed or mistreated at work; and

WHEREAS, 41% of transgender people have attempted suicide and are often the victims of hate crimes, this is especially higher amongst transgender women of color; and

WHEREAS, Members of the transgender community have spoken out at rallies to bring attention to their situation and to let other transgender people know that they are not alone and there is help; and

WHEREAS, The transgender population is far more than heartbreaking headlines. Transgender people are innovators, activists, agitators, job creators, teachers, and leaders. Philadelphia thrives when transgender people feel welcome and safe in our City; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, THAT THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, Hereby declares the week of November 17-23, 2013 as Transgender Awareness Week and affirms the City's commitment to equality and freedom from discrimination and violence for all of its residents and visitors.

FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to representatives of the Philadelphia Transgender Community and their families as evidence of the sincere sentiments of this legislative body.

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