Honoring lives lost: South Dakotans gather today to note National Transgender Day of Remembrance
Today is the National Transgender Day of Remembrance, and it will be noted in South Dakota.
The Transformation Project Advocacy Network, in collaboration with The Transformation Project, Quilting Allies, Sioux Falls Pride, and the Episcopal Church have announced a solemn and impactful event to mark the National Transgender Day of Remembrance.
All South Dakotans are invited to participate in a memorial event at 6:30 pm CT today (Monday, Nov. 20) hosted at Augustana’s Froiland Science Center in Room 113 in Sioux Falls. An online option will also be available for those choosing to join from the comfort of their homes by joining the Zoom link.
The Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR) is a poignant annual observance that pays tribute to the lives of transgender individuals lost to acts of anti-transgender violence across the United States. The event aims to raise public awareness (along with demonstrations like the one above in a public domain image posted above on wikimedia commons) of hate crimes against transgender people, offer a moment of collective mourning for those lost, and celebrate the lives of all transgender community members.
This year’s service will also honor four transgender individuals from Sioux Falls whose lives were tragically cut short in 2023.
The one-hour event is open to everyone and will include traditional elements such as the reading of names, candle lighting and music. It will conclude with light hors d’oeuvres. Attendees are encouraged to join in person at the Froiland Science Center or virtually from the comfort of their homes.
The organizing team comprises dedicated community members committed to providing guidance, support, and outreach for all transgender individuals, their families, and allies. The event serves as a platform to foster unity, understanding and remembrance within the broader South Dakota community.
Join us on this day of reflection and remembrance as we stand together to advocate for a more inclusive and accepting future for all. Together, we can make a difference.
Susan Williams of Sioux Falls is the founder and executive director of the Transformation Project Advocacy Network.
