Erie Observes Transgender Day of Remembrance

Members of the TransFamily of NWPA welcomed members of the community to the Unitarian Universalist Church in Erie on Thursday, November 20, for the local Transgender Day of Remembrance service. This year, a total of 57 names were read for those whose lives were cut short by violence. Sadly, this is by no means the true number of the lives that were lost. Violence against the trans community - particularly transgender women of color and those living at the intersection of multiple forms of marginalization - is really underreported. The names of those remembered this year are listed below.

"It should never be dangerous to be who you are."

Transgender Day of Remembrance, November 20, 2025

• Aoife (EE-fuh) Dovah Velspira, 27, Chubbuck, Idaho
• Gracen Coon, 33, Santa Fe, New Mexic
• Megan Jordan Kridli, 22, Miami, Florida
• Raven Syed, 18, Lawrenceville, New Jersey
• Rick Alastor Newman,  29, Bozeman, Montana
• Allyson Ketchum "Alex", 29, Mesa Arizona
• Leah Jo, 37, Denver, Colorado
• Sydney Leigh Phillips "Syd",  22, East Islip, New York
• Kayla Jane Walker, 39, Austin, Texas
• Quanesha Shantel "Cocoa",  25, Greensboro, North Carolina
• Ra'lasia Wright, 25, Minneapolis, Minnesota
• Roy Mora, 15, Fort Bragg, California
• Aziza Barnes "Z", 31, Oxford, Mississippi
• Cam Thompson, 18, Tuscaloosa, Alabama
• Meka Shabazz, 46, Columbus, Ohio
• Jonathan Asamow "Jonny", 29, Seattle, Washington
• Parker Sacarese, 15, Setaukar, New York
• Elisa Rae Shupe, 61, Syracuse, New York
• Aubrey Dameron "Shorty", 25, Cardin, Oklahoma
• Tahiry Broom, 29, Southfield, Michigan
• Sam Nordquist, 24, Canandiagua, New York
• Ervianna Johnson "Baylee", 25, Tabor City, North Carolina
• Amyri Dior, 23, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
• Linda Becerra Moran, 30, Los Angeles, California
• Jordon Maye "JJ", 17, Ocean Springs, Mississippi
• Katelyn Rinnetta Benoit, 15, Rochester, New York
• Kaitoria Le'Cynthia Bankz "Kai", 31, Autaugaville, Alabama
• Norah Horwitz, 38, Virginia Beach, Virginia
• Kelsey Elem, 25, St. Louis, Missouri
• Shy'Parius Dupree, 32, Memphis, Tennessee
• Karmin Wells, 25, Detroit, Michigan
• Charlotte Fosgate "Charcoal", 17, Portland, Oregon
• Jonathan Joss, 59, San Antonio, Texas
• Tessa June, 21, Randleman, North Carolina
• Jax Gratton, 34, Lakewood, Colorado
• Hope Luca Youngblood, 49, Los Angeles, California
• Laura Schueler, 47, Cincinnati, Ohio
• Emma Slabach, 24, Fort Wayne, Indiana
• JJ Godbey, 26, Canton, Ohio
• Christina Hayes, 28, Detroit, Michigan
• Lily-Dawn Harkins, 22, El Paso County, Colorado
• Gabrielle Nguyen (Cam), 21, El Paso County, Colorado
• Kia-Leigh Tabitha Roberts, 55, West Valley City, Utah
• Kamora Woods, 27, Indianapolis, Indiana
• Arty Cassidy Beowulf Gibson, 23, Portland, Oregon
• Dream Johnson, 28, Washington, D.C.
• Rosa Machuca, 24, Austin, Texas
• Blair A Sawyer, 27, Louisville, Kentucky
• Onyx Cornish, 18, Caldwell, Idaho
• Aurora Pellegrina "Alexa, Luna", 35, Lawnside, New Jersey
• Kaso Rhea "Kaeyy Holmes", 31, Lynchburg, Virginia
• Robyn James Post, 48, Erie, Pennsylvania
• Blake Strum, 25, Roanoke, Virginia
• Scarlet, 21, Hawthorne, Nevada
• Tiara Love Tori Jackson, 37, Charlotte, North Carolina
• Lia Smith, 21, Middlebury, Vermont
• Marisol Payero "Mari", 22, Kennesaw, Georgia

This list was provided by TransFamily of NWPA in conjunction with Remembering Our Dead, that serves as a companion resource for Transgender Day of Remembrance events

About the Author

Rex Apps Rex Apps (he/him) began his involvement with the newsletter by volunteering at the monthly folding/distribution parties. This then led him to contribute to the publication with writing and photos. Rex has previously served as an officer with the NW PA Pride Alliance from 2021 to 2024. He studied English at Gannon

Photos

Also view photos here.