In a move that marks both a commemoration and a stark reminder of the violence faced by the transgender community, the St. Louis Park City Council has issued a proclamation to observe November 20 as Transgender Day of Remembrance. A social media post from the City of St. Louis Park verified this proclamation, underscoring the day set aside to honor and remember those in the transgender and gender-expansive community who have lost their lives to transphobic violence.
With at least 27 transgender and gender-expansive individuals killed in the United States in 2024, the day serves as a grim acknowledgment. Three-quarters of these known victims were misgendered in initial police, or media reports, an issue that compounds the struggle for visibility and justice for the community. This year, the Human Rights Campaign has highlighted that transgender women of color continue to be disproportionately affected, representing about four out of five known violent killings.
The proclamation from the City Council details the purpose of the day, recognizing "the higher levels of violence, harassment and discrimination transgender and gender-expansive communities face, especially those who are transgender women and Black, Indigenous and people of color." It also celebrates the resilience and advocacy of transgender individuals across various spheres of life.
St. Louis Park has taken additional steps towards inclusivity with the establishment of an LGBTQ+ Employee Resource Group, aimed at creating a more welcoming, and safer workplace for LGBTQ+ employees and allies.
The city's formal recognition of Transgender Day of Remembrance aligns with national and global efforts to bring awareness to the challenges faced by transgender individuals and reinforces the commitment to advocate for a society that honors and protects all of its members, regardless of gender identity.
