Every year around 20 November, vigils remember trans people who were killed. The origin of the day, the latest Trans Murder Monitoring figures and practical ways to take part (as of October 2026).
Every year around 20 November, candles are lit in cities around the world and names are read aloud. Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDoR) honours trans people who were killed because of who they are. It is not a party or a parade, it is a day of mourning. Where it comes from, what the numbers say, how it is marked and how you can take part: that is what this guide covers. Information is current as of October 2026.
Where the day comes from
It began with a killing. Rita Hester, a Black transgender woman from Boston, was stabbed to death in her apartment on 28 November 1998. Her death and similar cases drew attention to how often trans people, especially trans women of colour, are killed, and how quickly they are forgotten.
Gwendolyn Ann Smith, a transgender woman from San Francisco, answered with an online memorial called "Remembering Our Dead". In 1999 she and the activist Penni Ashe Matz organised the first observance. Sources disagree on the exact date, 20 or 28 November. The Encyclopedia of Cleveland History gives 28 November, the first anniversary of Hester's death, with vigils in San Francisco's Castro District and in Boston. By candlelight, people read out the names of trans people killed in the years before.
That is still the core of the day. Today it is observed each year on or around 20 November in hundreds of cities worldwide.
What the numbers say
Since 2009 the organisation Transgender Europe (TGEU) has run Trans Murder Monitoring, a project that collects reported killings of trans and gender-diverse people. The 2025 update appeared in November 2025, shortly before the day itself, and covers 1 October 2024 to 30 September 2025. Among its findings:
- 281 reported murders, down from 350 the year before.
- 68 percent of cases in Latin America and the Caribbean, 30 percent in Brazil alone.
- 51 cases in Asia, the only region where the number rose.
- 31 cases in the United States, down from 41.
- 5 cases in Europe, the lowest since monitoring began in 2009.
- Sex workers made up 34 percent of victims and activists 14 percent, up from 9 percent in 2024 and 6 percent in 2023.
- Since 2009, TGEU has recorded 5,322 killings in total.
These are not official statistics. TGEU itself says only reported cases are counted, and it names missing government data, misgendering in reports and poor media coverage as reasons why the true number is probably much higher. The fall from 350 to 281 should not be read as a simple improvement either, because the method and the period differ.
How the day is marked
Four forms are common:
- Reading the names. The heart of the day is saying the names of those killed out loud.
- Candles and silence. Vigils light candles.
- Rallies and marches. In Frankfurt, Germany, the group dgti (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Transidentität und Intersexualität) invited people to a rally on the Zeil shopping street where names were read. In Mannheim, a memorial march took place on 22 November 2025, starting at 4 pm on the market square.
- Event series. The Trans*Aktionswochen Rhein-Neckar run from 1 to 22 November 2026 with workshops, talks and film screenings in Heidelberg and Mannheim, centred on the memorial day on 20 November.
Look for dates near you through trans groups and queer centres. Not every city holds its event on 20 November itself; some move it to the nearest weekend, as Mannheim did in 2025.
How to take part
- Show up even if you are not affected. Solidarity counts, and quiet presence is a contribution.
- Read names, not just figures. Numbers can numb. If you can, take time with the names and stories.
- Use the right name. People who are remembered should be named the way they lived. Wrong names and pronouns in reports are part of the problem TGEU describes.
- Ask about the format first. Some memorials are for trans people only, others are open to everyone.
- Look after yourself. The day can weigh on you. Plan time to talk to someone afterwards.
Where to find more
- Transgender Europe (TGEU): background and the Trans Murder Monitoring update.
- Bundesverband Trans* (Germany): information and advice pointers.
- dgti (Germany): advice and peer support.
If you have experienced violence yourself, contact the police, or the emergency services if you are in immediate danger. Support services for people affected by violence can also help if you do not want to report straight away. The services named above are German; outside Germany, ask local trans groups or LGBTQ+ centres.
Frequently asked questions
Last reviewed: 17. October 2026
