November is Transgender Awareness Month and marks the 20th anniversary of the Transgender Day of Rememberance.

Transgender Day of Rememberance was founded on November 20, 1999 by trans activist Gwendolyn Ann Smith after the brutal murder of Rita Hester, a Black trans woman, in 1998. The day was set to honor all of the transgender people who have lost their lives due to anti-transgender violence throughout the year. 

In 2019, 23 deaths have been reported from anti-transgender and transmisgonoir violence, 20 of those deaths were Black people.

Every November we celebrate the transgender and gender nonconforming communities by raising awareness. Unfortunately, the month was kicked off Friday (Nov. 1)  with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announcing that it is stripping non-discrimination protections, including protections based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

In San Francisco, Mayor London Breed quickly condemned the news and was joined by Senator Scott Wiener and Supervisor Rafael Mandelman for a ceremony to light up City Hall in the trans flag colors and raise the trans flag over the building. 

“Despite transphobic and bigoted efforts around the country to dismantle the rights of trans people, our trans community will never be erased,” said Breed, according to the Bay Aera Reporter. “In San Francisco, we celebrate our diversity.  We are committed to continuing our investment in the trans community by providing support through the enactment of policies and programs.”

The New York Transgender Advocacy Group and Gays Against Guns will also host a candlelight vigil and march to the Stonewall Monument in New York City.

Transgender Awarness Month works to bring to  the variety of issues faced by trans communities acorss the country. Now, with promotion from GLAAD, the campaign receives more media coverage and transgender advocates have organized events to educate the community. 

In West Virginia, several vigils will be held through out the state; Parkersburg, Huntington, Charleston, and in Princeton, WV., an openly Gay City Council Candidate James Adkins will be assisting S.W.A.T. (a local trans support group), in reading of the names. At West Virginia University’s LGBTQ Center, they will be hosting a Friendsgiving dinner, followed with a vigil to honor the Trans lives lost in acts of unjust hate.

Events are held nationwide throughout the entire month, and more specifically during Transgender Awareness Week, which is from November 13 – 20.