The Transgender Day of Remembrance is a day to memorialize those who have been killed as a result of transphobia, or the hatred or fear of transgender and gender non-conforming people, and acts to bring attention to the continued violence endured by the transgender community.

The Transgender Day of Remembrance was founded in 1998 by Gwendolyn Ann Smith, a transgender graphic designer, columnist, and activist, to memorialize the murder of Rita Hester in Allston, Massachusetts.

Since its inception, Transgender Day of Remembrance has been held annually on November 20th, and has slowly evolved from the web-based project started by Smith into an international day of action. In 2010, the Transgender Day of Remembrance was observed in over 185 cities throughout more than 20 countries.

Typically, a Transgender Day of Remembrance memorial includes a reading of the names of those who lost their lives during the previous year and may include other actions, such as candlelight vigils, art shows, food drives, film screenings, marches, among others. The TDoR is the culmination of Transgender Awareness Week.

Events are being held round the UK to mark this day and these are some locations which are having special services:-

Croydon, Surrey, UK
On Saturday, from 2pm join us by the trans flag, in the Clocktower Cafe, Katharine Street, Croydon. (Lunch optional.)
At 3pm go to the Trans Day of Remembrance display on the first floor of the Central Library, Katharine Street – also in the same building – for the ceremony of Remembrance.
3.15pm walk to The Bird in Hand, 48 Sydenham Road.
3.45pm Private showing* of Jane Anderson’s film “Normal”, starring Tom Wilkinson and Jessica Lange.
7pm to 9pm Socialise over a buffet meal*.
(There will be a display for the Trans Day of Remembrance on the first floor of the Central Library, Katharine Street, from Monday 14th to Saturday 19th November.
During that week spring bulbs will be planted in central Croydon, to brighten the town centre and as a living memorial to trans victims.)
* Phone in to book for these events on 07827 397817.
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Coventry, United Kingdom
Warwick University will be hosting a Transgender Day of Remembrance event on November 20, 2011 (time TBA)
There will be a candlelit vigil in the piazza, to remember those we have lost to anti-transgender hate or prejudice.
Check here for more info: http://home.warwickpride.org/2011/10/trans-day-of-remembrance/

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London, England
Will be holding a Transgender Day of Remembrance event on Sunday, November 20, 2011 at 4:30 pm at:-
The 52 Club, Bonham Carter House, 52 Gower Street, London WC1E 6EB

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Liverpool, Merseyside, UK
Will be holding a Transgender Day of Remembrance event on Sunday 20th November at 6pm for a 6.30pm start. St Brides is on Percy Street in Liverpool, Merseyside, UK.
All welcome.
For more information either e-mail [email protected] or see the event notice on Facebook:

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Edinburgh, Scotland
We will be marking Transgender Day of Remembrance on Saturday 19th November from 2-4pm
at the LGBT Centre for Health and Wellbeing, 9 Howe Street, Edinburgh, EH3 6TE.
We will be reading names and lighting candles.
There will also be a chance to make a creative, personal contribution during the event.
Please contact Jules on 0131 523 1104 or [email protected] by Wednesday 16th November
if you’d like to write a poem to read out during the event.
This will help us plan the event, which will take place during our monthly transgender social gathering which starts at 1pm on the third Saturday of each month.
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=113470942098441

Further update today on this special event for trans people is featured in todays issue of Pink News:-

http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2011/11/18/uk-organisations-to-mark-trans-day-of-remembrance-this-weekend/

I am having a day of quiet contemplation. i haven't been able to get out to the events but next year i will. leys hope that as the world changes so will the attitudes towards the transgendered. we can but hope.