National Black Justice Coalition Statement on Transgender Day of Remembrance

Washington -- Tomorrow, November 20th, is Transgender Day of Remembrance - a day to honor trans family who have lost their lives to acts of anti-transgender violence. It's also Transgender Day of Resilience - a day when we celebrate and support the brilliance, resistance, and importance of our trans sibilings who are alive.

"With 42 trans, gender nonconforming, and nonbinary people stolen from us, that we know of, 2020 has been the deadliest recorded year for our community to date," said David J. Johns, Executive Director of National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC). "While all Black people know the sting of bias, stigma, and violence this is especially true for our Black and Latinx sisters and femme identified members of our communities. We call attention to this epidemic of violence because it is too-often ignored, because hostile legislation and policy make it worse, and because it must end. We have to prioritize protection, fight shame and stigma, and do the work of healing, so we no longer need to remind people that our trans family deserves to be here. Nobody should live in fear of being their authentic self. Especially not now. Not ever."

November 20th, 2020 hits particularly hard this year, as we also mourn the passing of #TransGriot Monica Roberts, advocate, activist, and story-teller. She resolved in 1998 to take a stand against the misinformation and disrespect she saw surrounding trans life and death, launching a more than two-decade long career.

"Trans rights are human rights issues. That is a given. That is non-negotiable. That is also something that needs to be an accepted reality in this country and across the world," said Monica Roberts in 2017. She would go on to say, "our trans lives matter," and "Black trans lives matter. Latino trans lives matter. We are not your political wedge issue. We are not your secret fantasies. We are human beings who want to live our lives to the best of our ability and express our talents to the world just like anybody else."

We join Sister Roberts' friends across the country and the world in blessing her home going, honoring her life, and mourning her departure.

Each person listed below should be here with us today. As we say their names, let's redouble our commitment to eliminate anti-transgender violence and let's honor our TransGriot by continuing the work.

Say their names.

1. Dustin Parker (25), January 1
2. Neulisa "Alexa" Luciano Ruiz (27), February 24
3. Yampi Méndez Arocho (19), March 5
4. Monika Diamond (34), March 18
5. Lexi (33), March 28
6. Scottlynn Kelly DeVor (51), March 30
7. Ashley Moore (26), April 1
8. Johanna Metzger (25), April 11
9. Penélope Díaz Ramírez (31), April 13
10. Layla Peláez Sánchez (21), April 21
11. Serena Angelique Velázquez Ramos (32), April 21
12. Nina Pop (28), May 3
13. Helle Jae O'Regan (20), May 6
14. Jayne Thompson (33), May 9
15. Tony McDade (38), May 27
16. Selena Reyes-Hernandez (37), May 31
17. Riah Milton (25), June 9
18. Dominique "Rem'mie" Fells (27), June 9
19. Brian "Egypt" Powers (43), June 13
20. Brayla Stone (17), June 25
21. Tatiana Hall (22), June 29
22. Merci Mack (22), June 30
23. Shaki Peters (32), July 1
24. Bree Black (27), July 3
25. Summer Taylor (24), July 4
26. Marilyn Monroe Cazares (22), July 13
27. Dior H Ova (aka Tiffany Harris) (32), July 26
28. Kemar Soloman (32), July 26
29. Queasha D Hardy (22), July 27
30. Aja Raquell Rhone-Spears (32), July 28
31. Kee Sam (24), August 12
32. KaKedius Reid (31), August 28
33. Lea Rayshon Daye (28), August 31
34. Elie Che (23), August 31
35. Isabella Mia Lofton (21), September 7
36. Aerrion Burnett (37), September 19
37. Tracy "Mia" Green (29), September 28
38. Michelle Michellyn Ramos Vargas (33), September 30
39. Felycya Harris (33), October 3
40. Brooklyn DeShauna Smith (20), October 7
41. Sara Blackwood (39), October 11
42. Angel Unique (25), October 25

    On November 20, NBJC asks everyone to consider attending a vigil in honor of the trans, gender nonconforming, and nonbinary community members lost. To see if one is happening near you check the website or social media of local LGBTQ+/SGL organizations and activists. Follow @NBJCOnTheMove and #TDOR2020 for more information.

The National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC) is America's leading civil rights organization dedicated to the empowerment of Black lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and same gender loving (LGBTQ/SGL) people, including people living with HIV.