November 20, 2020
Ms. Foundation on Transgender Day of Remembrance
Ms. Foundation on Transgender Day of Remembrance
NEW YORK (November 20, 2020) – Ms. Foundation for Women President and CEO Teresa C. Younger released the following statement on Transgender Day of Remembrance:
“Today, on Transgender Day of Remembrance, the Ms. Foundation for Women acknowledges that this is the deadliest year on record for the trans community and remembers the 36 transgender people who have been reported murdered in 2020 in the United States:
| Aerrion Burnett | Jayne Thompson | Nina Pop |
| Aja Raquell Rhone-Spears | Johanna Metzger | Penélope Díaz Ramírez |
| Angel Unique | Kee Sam | Queasha D Hardy |
| Brayla Stone | Layla Pelaez Sánchez | Riah Milton |
| Bree Black | Lea Rayshon Daye | Sara Blackwood |
| Brian “Egypt’ Powers | Lexi "Ebony" Sutton | Scott/ Scottlynn Devore |
| Brooklyn Deshuna | Marilyn Cazares | Selena Reyes-Hernandez |
| Dior H Ova | Merci Mack | Serena Angelique Velázquez Ramos |
| Dominique “Rem'mie” Fells | Mia Green | Shaki Peters |
| Dustin Parker | Michelle Michellyn Ramos | Summer Taylor |
| Felycya Harris | Monika Diamond | Tony McDade |
| Helle Jae O’Regan | Neulisa Luciano Ruiz | Yampi Méndez Arocho |
“We reject the idea that one can truly be a feminist yet be trans-exclusionary. Feminism means fighting for equity and justice for people of all genders, but throughout the history of the feminist movement, there has been a notable exclusion of the trans community. This form of bigotry directly fuels the violence and vitriol that puts transgender people’s lives and livelihoods at risk and must not continue. Just as we fight for the leadership of women and girls of color, we also must fight for the leadership of transgender women, girls, and people of all genders.
“In recent years, the anti-trans conservative agenda has grown more vocal and visceral, with ‘bathroom bills’ blocking access to public accommodations and the removal of protections for trans students, military members, and those experiencing homelessness. Further, the American Medical Association reported that an ‘epidemic of violence’ is plaguing Black transgender women last year. And globally, it largely impacts Latinx women as well.
“We were thrilled to see an increase in the number of trans and nonbinary public officeholders in the recent election, including Sarah McBride, Taylor Small, Stephanie Byers, Lisa Bunker, and Mauree Turner. Trans leaders also continue to make their voices heard throughout various media and representation in the entertainment industry, and a number of our Activist Collaboration Fund grantee-partners, including Solutions Not Punishments Collaborative and Black Trans Media, are on the frontlines of the fight for trans liberation and other social justice causes. The Ms. Foundation firmly believes in elevating the progressive strides made by the transgender community, and will continue to fight for the equity and justice of all genders.”
Ms. Foundation spokespeople are available for interviews by phone or video from NYC. To schedule, please contact Sunshine Sachs at [email protected].
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For over 45 years, the Ms. Foundation for Women has worked to build women’s collective power in the U.S. to advance equity and justice for all. The Ms. Foundation invests in and strengthens the capacity of women-led movements to advance meaningful social, cultural, and economic change in women’s lives. With equity and inclusion as the cornerstones of true democracy, the Ms. Foundation works to create a world where every person’s worth and dignity are valued, and power and possibility are not limited by gender, race, class, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or age.