WHEREAS, Transgender and gender-expansive Philadelphians are important and valued members of our City and our communities, and we recognize the resilience and leadership of trans and gender-expansive people in creating a better world for us all; and
WHEREAS, We honor and remember the lives we have lost and commit to fighting for a world where our transgender and gender-expansive neighbors receive the care and services they need and are no longer targets of violence and hate; and
WHEREAS, Transgender Day of Remembrance, was founded by Gwendolyn Ann Smith as a vigil to honor Rita Hester, a trans woman who was murdered in 1998; and
WHEREAS, Since the last Transgender Day of Remembrance on November 20, 2024, at least 58 transgender and gender-expansive people have been killed in the U.S. We honor and remember Cam Thompson, 18; Kaitoria Bankz, 31; Eli Stablein, 49; Miss Major Griffin-Gracy, 78; Jay Floris, 23; Lady Java, 82; Apollo Moon, 26; Roy Mora, 15; Linda Becerra Moran, 30; Luisa Rivera, 68; Hope Lyca Youngblood, 49; Zara Weinberg, 36; Gabrielle “Cam” Nguyen, 21; Jax Gratton, 34; Lily-Dawn Harkins, 22; Leah Jo, 37; Megan Jordan Kridli, 22; Onyx Cornish, 18; Emma Slabach, 24; Kamora Woods, 27; Blair Sawyer, 27; Christina Hayes, 28; Karmin Wells, 25; Tahiry Broom, 29; Ra’lasia Wright, 25; Aziza “Z” Barnes, 31; Kelsey Elem, 25; Rick Alastor Newman, 29; Jill Heathers Bouvier, 54; Raven Syed; Bianca “Jiggly Caliente” Castro-Arabejo, 44; Deniz Chucker; Elisa Rae Shupe, 61; Katelyn Rinnetta Benoit, 15; Parker Savarese, 15; Sam Nordquist, 24; Sydney “Syd” Leigh Phillips, 22; Ervianna Johnson, 25; Quanesha “Cocoa” Shantel, 26; Tessa June, 21; Tiara Love “Tori” Jackson, 37; JJ Godbey, 26; Laura Schueler, 47; Meka Shabazz, 46; Aubrey Dameron, 25; Arty Cassidy Beowulf Gibson, 23; Charlotte Fosgate, 17; Sonny Hopkins, 39; Shy'Parius Dupree, 32; Ajani Walden; Kyla Jane Walker, 39; Rosa Machuca, 24; Lia Smith, 21; Phoenix Cassetta; Kasi Rhea, 31; Norah Horwitz, 38; Michele Kaemmerer, 80; Dream Johnson, 28; Amyri Dior, 23; and
WHEREAS, Kai Bankz, one of those we remember, was a member of Trans Women Involved in Strategies for Transformation. As part of their work, nine trans women went to Atlanta to receive training on supporting other members of the transgender community. Kai was one of the women in the workshop, and dedicated her life to bringing joy to her community. Kai was murdered in Alabama six months after the workshop. She worked at the Knights and Orchids Society supporting Black TLGB+ people in the South with life-saving services, and is remembered as a light to those around her; and
WHEREAS, We recognize this list is very likely an undercount, and we honor and remember all trans and gender-expansive people who have been killed, assaulted, and harassed for living authentic lives; and
WHEREAS, Across the country, trans and gender-expansive people are under increasing legislative and governmental attack. 2025 saw the highest levels of anti-LGBTQ+ bills in our nation’s history, with 1,012 anti-trans bills introduced and 124 passed; and
WHEREAS, The 2024 and 2025 elections saw the U.S. Republican party spending nearly $100 million on anti-trans political ads that furthered transphobic hate; and
WHEREAS, These legislative and rhetorical attacks directly translate to anti-LGBTQ+ violence, including against Philadelphians. The past year had the highest number of anti-LGB and anti-trans and gender-expansive hate crimes reported by the FBI to date, accounting for almost one in four hate crimes recorded; and
WHEREAS,
The Trevor Project, a non-profit focusing on suicide prevention among LGBTQ+ people, has experienced more than a 700% increase in calls after the 2024 presidential election; and
W
HEREAS, The discrimination faced by trans and gender-expansive Philadelphians compounds for transgender and gender-expansive people who hold multiple marginalized identities. Transgender women and transgender people of color are at elevated risk of fatal violence, and the risk is compounded for Black transgender women, who comprise the vast majority of victims of fatal violence against trans and gender-expansive people; and
WHEREAS, In Philadelphia, trans and gender-expansive people have already felt the impact of increased anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric and laws, with many reports of increased assaults and attacks in our City; and
WHEREAS, Transgender and gender-expansive people are resilient and have continued to live authentically through discrimination and violence with bravery, strength, joy, and power that demonstrate the best in human nature; and
WHEREAS, In Philadelphia, we are steadfast in affirming our commitment to uphold our municipal laws prohibiting discrimination based on gender identity in housing, employment, and public accommodations, and our intention to vigorously uphold and expand the protections for our transgender and gender-expansive neighbors that City Council has passed into law in the past several years; and
WHEREAS, Trans and gender-expansive Philadelphians go to extraordinary lengths to live authentically and collectively, we commit to honoring their truth and bravery with action; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, THAT THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, Recognizes November 20th as Transgender Day of Remembrance in the City of Philadelphia.
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