By Rabbi Eliana Kayelle
SAN FRANCISCO — Every November 20, transgender people and allies around the world observe Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR) to memorialize and remember the victims of transphobic violence who died in the last year, as well as to honor the strength of the trans community in the face of hardship.
This year, while we mourn those we’ve lost, many of us are also grieving because of the violent targeting of trans people by the current administration, and the impacts those attacks can have politically, communally, and individually. But we know trans people will always be here. Along with our grief, we honor the fierce resilience of the trans community. Even amidst a world where transphobic violence is all too present, we can find joy and hope, and celebrate the beauty of trans people past, present, and future.
Keshet created a variety of resources to help you mark Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR) in your own way, in your own community. We invite you to:
–Use a prayer or ritual honoring the trans people we have lost in your own community.
–Attend a commemorative event in your community or online.
–Find sustenance and grounding to stand firmly in solidarity with trans folks in your community.
–Explore Our TDOR Page
It is an incredibly hard time, but we at Keshet are more committed than ever to the work we do — together with you — to cultivate spaces of affirmation, authenticity, and safety, and to advocate forcefully, Jewishly, for the rights of transgender and nonbinary people, and all LGBTQ+ people.
As we grieve for our trans siblings who we have lost and remember our trancestors, may we be strengthened by their courage and act in their honor. As the legendary Miss Major, a Black trans activist and elder who passed away last month once said: “We used to accept this crap of: We’re not worthy, and We shouldn’t exist, like this government is trying to push down our throats. We’ve got to revolt, and we’ve got to reclaim who the f&#% we are and let these people realize, before they came along, we were honored and worshipped and appreciated and adored.”
Zichronam livracha — may all of their memories be a blessing. May their memory be for a revolution.
*
Rabbi Eliana Kayelle is the Bay Area Education & Training Manager for Keshet, the Jewish LGBTQ+ equality organization.