QNS.com: ‘Stand in solidarity’: BP Richards hosts Transgender Day of Remembrance ceremony at Queens Borough Hall

QNS.com: ‘Stand in solidarity’: BP Richards hosts Transgender Day of Remembrance ceremony at Queens Borough Hall | November 2022: Queens Borough President Donovan Richards hosted the annual Transgender Day of Remembrance ceremony outside Queens Borough Hall Thursday, Nov. 17, during which several LGBTQIA+ community leaders, allies and elected officials gathered to take part in honoring those lost to anti-trans violence over the last year.

According to the Human Rights Campaign, over the last year, at least 32 transgender or gender-nonconforming individuals were killed in targeted acts of violence. This number is likely much bigger because many cases end up not being reported or are misreported. Many of those killed were Black and Latinx transgender women.

Many of the speakers at the ceremony emphasized the importance of equality, equity, jobs and homes for those in the transgender community. They encourage businesses not to be reluctant to hire transgender people if they are qualified for the job and inquired about funding for affordable housing for members of their community.

“As we pay tribute to the nearly three dozen transgender Americans whom we’ve tragically lost this year alone, we must recommit ourselves to ending the reprehensible wave of transphobia and anti-trans violence sweeping our country,” Richards said. “I stand in solidarity with our transgender and gender-nonconforming neighbors and we will stop at nothing to ensure Queens is a safe place for them. Hate cannot and must not have a home here in the ‘World’s Borough.’”

Among the organizations that co-sponsored the vigil were Queens Community House, Caribbean Equality Project, TransLatinx Network, LGBT Network, G.L.I.T.S., Generation Q, the Queens Center for Gay Seniors and Make the Road New York. In addition to many LGBTQIA+ community leaders, allies and elected officials speaking at the event, Brenda Continental, a Guyanese-born trans performer and activist, put on a special performance to honor those lost in the community.

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