By all outward appearances, 2018 was a year of incredible progress for trans people. Of the triumphs: Christine Hallquist became the first trans person to be nominated for governor (of Vermont); at least one internationally-recognized company opted to recognize their trans employees by covering corrective surgeries in their health plans; more openly trans models made it to the runway and major campaigns; and FX’s Pose, the first television show to star a predominantly trans cast, was an instant hit and made history when writer and producer Janet Mock became the first trans woman to direct a television episode.
And yet, since the start of 2018, an estimated 23 lives have been lost due to anti-transgender violence, and those are just the known cases (some reports on trans murders are as high as 369 since September of 2017). As in past years, the victims were predominantly trans women, black and under the age of 35.
With that in mind, we recognize that the fight for trans equality and acceptance is unfortunately very far from over, as well as remembering the countless lives that have been lost to transphobic violence as it wages on. And on this #TransDayofRemembrance, we revisit some of the voices that urge not only our awareness but our compassion for our trans brothers and sisters and their right to survive and thrive.
As you visit with your families this holiday season, please consider doing your part to save trans lives by revisiting and sharing some or all of an array of recommended stories below that shine a light on trans identities and issues. More important, please remember and respect that humanity is not synonymous with heterosexuality. We are all a step closer to equality when we support the equality and safety of the most marginalized.