Last night, I attended the Transgender Day of Remembrance event in Katy, Texas, hosted by Katy Pride to memorialize the trans siblings we've lost in the past year to anti-trans violence.

We gathered under a park pavilion to hear a handful of people speak somberly of the losses rooted in systemic transphobia and injustice. But we also heard words of hope celebrating the trans experience and embracing the support of community.

Across Texas and across the country – we are seeing laws, orders, and directives that target transgender individuals, including children, taking away their rights, access, and opportunities. The people who wish harm on our trans loved ones act out of ignorance and fear, clinging to the status quo.

But someone else having rights, enjoying life, and just existing as themselves doesn’t diminish anyone else’s rights. Everyone should have the freedom and safety to be themselves, and transgender folks, including kids, are no different.

Afterwards, we moved to the park lake by the light of electric candles to hear the names of the lost read aloud. More than 300 souls around the world. There were so many names that ten people were needed to read them all. My foot fell asleep.

TDOR is not only a memorial service; it's a call to action to make a better world for transgender, nonbinary, and gender-expansive folks.

And we can do that every day.

To read more about TDOR and the stories of those who've passed, check out the Trans Remembrance Project by Advocates for Trans Equality.

If you're in the Houston area, please join us for our monthly in-person parent and caregiver support group this Sunday, November 23, at the Montrose Center. ​ Doors open at 2pm and discussion is from 2:15-3:30pm. ​ The Montrose Center, 401 Branard Street, Rm 114, Houston, TX 77006 ​ ​Click here for more info.

Mandy Giles​
Founder, Parents of Trans Youth​

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