WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) led 16 of her Senate colleagues in introducing a resolution commemorating November 20, 2025 as Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR). The House companion bill was introduced by U.S. Representatives Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), Sara Jacobs (D-CA), and Mark Takano (D-CA).
“As anti-transgender hate continues to rise across the country, it is crucial that we do everything in our power to protect and support transgender and gender-nonconforming communities,” said Senator Hirono. “I’m proud to join my colleagues in introducing this resolution to educate people about the discrimination and dangers that transgender communities face, as well as to honor the lives of transgender and gender-nonconforming people who were lost to violence. Transgender rights are human rights, and I’ll continue fighting so no one has to live in fear for simply existing as who they are.”
Following the still-unsolved murder of Rita Hester, a transgender woman of color, Gwendolyn Ann Smith founded TDOR to honor Hester and other transgender people whose lives were lost to violence. Senator Hirono leads the TDOR resolution each year to memorialize the lives of transgender people lost due to violence in the United States and around the world.
The resolution this year also commemorates Miss Major Griffin-Gracy, a Black genderqueer transgender rights advocate who passed away last month. Miss Major was a trailblazer of the transgender rights movement and one of this country’s most celebrated transgender rights activists, spending over 50 years fighting at the forefront of the movement and providing a sanctuary for transgender and gender-nonconforming people in her home state of Arkansas.
“On Transgender Day of Remembrance, we honor the Americans we have lost to violence and those who continue to suffer discrimination and hate for simply being who they are,” said Bennet. “We must commit to protecting the rights and safety of the transgender community and ensure everyone can live with dignity and respect.”
“All Americans deserve to live their lives freely and authentically—without fear of discrimination or harm simply because of their gender identity. I’m proud to introduce this resolution amplifying the voices of our nation’s transgender communities and recognizing the dangers they face simply for living their lives. Transgender rights are human rights, and I look forward to continuing the fight to make our country a more inclusive place for all,” said Senator Blumenthal.
“On this Transgender Day of Remembrance, we honor the members of the transgender community whose lives were tragically cut short by violence,” said Senator Booker. “We must all stand together against attacks on the transgender community and continue fighting for a nation where everyone can live their lives freely and authentically without fear.”
“On this Transgender Day of Remembrance, we honor the transgender Americans whose lives have been cut short by hate,” said Duckworth. “As Trump continues his campaign of hate against the trans community, I will always fight for the safety, dignity and respect that all human beings deserve.”
“Hate and bigotry have no place in America. Everyone deserves the right to be who they are without fear, and that includes the trans community,” said Hickenlooper. “In the face of rising discrimination, we won’t stop fighting to make this country a better place for all.”
“Transgender individuals deserve the same respect and dignity that every person is owed. We observe Transgender Day of Remembrance to honor those who lost their lives to violence and to acknowledge the discrimination and bigotry facing transgender people.” said Senator Markey. “We must continue to fight to protect transgender individuals and make it clear to the transgender community: we see you and we firmly stand with you.”
“Let us all recognize the enormous discrimination and violence that our transgender communities face,” said Senator Merkley. “On this day of remembrance, we honor the lives and legacies of all in the transgender community who have been taken by violence, just for being who they are. Let’s work towards a world where everyone can live a full and free life.”
“On Transgender Day of Remembrance, we honor the trans lives tragically taken from our communities,” said Senator Padilla. “Today is a reminder that we must continue standing up together against hate and fighting to build a more accepting world where everyone can live safely, freely, and authentically.”
“Trans people deserve to live with equality and dignity – just like everyone else,” said Senator Schatz. “Transgender Day of Remembrance is about highlighting the continued threats that the trans community faces every day and honoring those who were killed solely because of who they were.”
“I’m proud to support Senator Hirono’s resolution to raise awareness of the epidemic of violence and discrimination against the transgender community and honor the lives of those lost to acts of violence. Amidst the administration’s targeting of the transgender community and their efforts to dismantle policies directly affecting their freedoms, we will continue fighting to ensure all Americans, including LGBTQ Americans, can live without the fear of discrimination and hate," said Senator Schiff.
“Our trans community brings so much joy and love to our society — they shouldn’t have to live in fear of hate and violence because of who they are,” said Senator Warren. “This resolution honors the lives lost to anti-trans hate and reaffirms our commitment to making a better, more equal country for all.”
“No one should face hatred or violence just because of who they are. It’s important to commemorate the transgender Americans who have lost their lives to violence, and to continue working to support trans and gender nonconforming communities until everyone can live without fear of prejudice or persecution,” said Senator Wyden.
The resolution is endorsed by the Human Rights Campaign, Advocates for Trans Equality (A4TE), and the National LGBTQ Task Force Action Fund.
In addition to Senator Hirono, the resolution was cosponsored by Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), John Fetterman (D-PA), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Ed Markey (D-MA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and Ron Wyden (D-OR).
The full text of the resolution is available here.
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