Hundreds of community members gathered Thursday to stand in solidarity with the transgender community as we honored those whose lives were taken by violence.
The Center on Colfax and the Transgender Center of the Rockies hosted an evening of powerful performances, moving speeches, and a candlelit remembrance for the 44 transgender individuals lost this year.
“It is so vital to use the positions we’re in and the platforms we have to speak up,” said Maya Blasingame, the night’s keynote speaker and a community activist.
Transgender Day of Remembrance is an annual tradition held each November to honor those who’ve died by violence or suicide. Since 2020, the number of trans people lost to violence has risen each year—a harrowing reminder of the danger our community continues to face.
“I’m speaking for so many people who can’t speak up or who might be afraid to speak up,” Blasingame added.
Blasingame framed her speech as a call to action, encouraging the audience to advocate for trans communities by testifying on legislation affecting trans healthcare, contributing to organizations that serve trans people, and offering steadfast support to loved ones as they come out or transition. Blasingame also highlighted how essential it is for trans people to feel genuinely welcomed and celebrated for who they are—no matter where they are in their journey.
Ember Rieder, who co-emceed the event, said seeing hundreds of people in attendance brought tears to her eyes.
“When I first came out as transgender, I just never could’ve imagined this much support, and it was so wonderful to see how many people want to do everything they can to uplift our community,” Rieder said.
Although Transgender Day of Remembrance is an opportunity to mourn those we’ve lost as well as celebrate trans lives, trans peoples’ talents, and standing in community. Nine trans artists took the stage to express themselves through poetry, drag, and dance. The artists centered their work around a bold, unapologetic call for trans liberation. As dozens of states pass anti-trans legislation and the federal government makes attacking the community a core part of its identity, Rieder wanted to make sure trans people felt celebrated, not just mourned and pitied.
“It’s so important to celebrate trans lives while we can and to uplift all of the diverse talent across our community,” Rieder said.
The Center offers resources for the transgender, non-binary, and gender-diverse communities. We have support groups for trans-masc, trans-femme and non-binary people, as well as programs for youth and older adults. Transgender Center of the Rockies offers free gender-affirming clothing and supplies, WPATH letters for medical interventions, and affordable therapies.
Although Transgender Day of Remembrance comes just once per year, we spend all of our days supporting, uplifting, and empowering the transgender community.
