The origins of TDoR trace back to 1998, following the tragic murder of Rita Hester, a Black transgender woman, whose death highlighted the extreme and disproportionate violence directed at transgender people — especially trans women of colour. In response, Gwendolyn Ann Smith, alongside Nancy Nangeroni and Jahaira DeAlto, established the first Transgender Day of Remembrance in November 1999.

Smith launched the “Remembering Our Dead” web project to document names and stories of transgender individuals lost to violence — ensuring they would not be forgotten. The date, 20th November, holds symbolic weight: it is tied to the anniversary of the murder of Chanelle Pickett, another Black trans woman whose death in 1995 further underscored the need for heightened awareness.

From its beginnings in Boston and San Francisco in 1999, TDoR has expanded into an international movement, observed in hundreds of cities across dozens of countries.

Rituals, Commemoration, and Global Observance

The structure of a TDoR commemoration often includes:

• A reading aloud of the names of transgender individuals who died over the past year (typically from 1st October of the previous year to 30th September of the present year)

• Candlelight vigils, memorial services, art installations, film screenings, panel discussions, and marches

• Educational and advocacy segments that encourage community dialogue and engagement

These actions not only pay tribute to lives lost, but also bring visibility to the ongoing crisis of violence and discrimination faced by trans and non-binary people.

he structure of a TDoR commemoration often includes:

• A reading aloud of the names of transgender individuals who died over the past year (typically from 1st October of the previous year to 30th September of the present year)

• Candlelight vigils, memorial services, art installations, film screenings, panel discussions, and marches

• Educational and advocacy segments that encourage community dialogue and engagement

These actions not only pay tribute to lives lost, but also bring visibility to the ongoing crisis of violence and discrimination faced by trans and non-binary people.

While TDoR originated in the United States, it has a long-standing presence in the UK and many other nations. In the UK, commemorations often mirror global practices — candlelight vigils, public readings, educational programmes, and collaborative partnerships among LGBTQ+ organisations.

Through local observances like TransKind by Beaumont and Newbury Pride’s co-hosted vigil in Berkshire, TDoR acquires local resonance — reminding us that the global struggle against transphobic violence also plays out within our communities.