WASHINGTON – Sen. Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) led 13 of her Senate colleagues in introducing a resolution commemorating Nov. 20, 2024, as Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR).

The House companion bill was introduced by Reps. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), Sara Jacobs (D-San Diego), and Mark Pocan (D-Wis.).

“No one should have to live their lives in fear simply for existing as they are,” said Hirono. “With anti-transgender hate on the rise across the country, it is more important than ever that we protect and support transgender and gender-nonconforming communities.

“I’m proud to sponsor this resolution to raise awareness of the discrimination and dangers that transgender communities face, and to honor the memories of the transgender and gender-nonconforming people whose lives were lost in violence. Transgender rights are human rights, and I will continue fighting so every person can live their lives freely and authentically.”

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. The TDOR resolution memorializes the lives of transgender people lost due to violence in the U.S. and around the world.

In addition to Hirono, the resolution was cosponsored by Sens. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), John Fetterman (D-Pa.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.).